Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the reported attack on former presidential candidate Peter Obi, former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin City.
The alleged attack occurred on Tuesday during the formal declaration of Labour Party chieftain Olumide Akpata into the ADC. According to the Obidient Movement, armed men followed Obi and ADC leaders from the party secretariat to Oyegun’s residence, firing at the gate and damaging several vehicles. Photos from the scene showed shattered windscreens and a gate riddled with bullets.
Atiku described on his X page that the attack as “utterly condemnable and unacceptable in any democracy,” warning that Nigeria is entering a “perilous phase” where opposition voices are increasingly being harassed and physically targeted. He also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies to protect all political actors, stressing that safeguarding lives and property is a constitutional obligation, not a political favour.
The Edo State Government, however, rejected Obi’s claims, describing them as false, malicious, and politically motivated. The administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo insisted it did not authorise or sponsor any violence against opposition members, noting that security advisories for high-profile visitors are standard safety measures.
Authorities also clarified that a faction of the ADC, led by former Senate Chief Whip Roland Owie, was temporarily prevented from attending a meeting at Oyegun’s residence due to internal party disputes, which police helped resolve.
The incident has intensified political tension in Edo State, amid coalition realignments and growing concerns over the safety of opposition leaders. While Obi’s camp maintains the attack was targeted, the Edo Government urges political actors to verify facts before making public statements capable of escalating tensions.
