Obi escapes attack as gunmen target ADC leaders in Edo

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, were on Tuesday reportedly attacked by suspected thugs in Benin, Edo State, during a political gathering involving leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The allegation was made by Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, in a statement issued in Abuja.

According to Tanko, the incident occurred during activities marking the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the ADC. He alleged that armed men trailed Obi and other party leaders from the ADC secretariat to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence, where the attack took place.

He claimed the assailants opened fire at the entrance gate and vandalised several vehicles parked within the premises.

“Peter Obi and the leadership of the ADC came under attack in Benin. Armed individuals followed us from the ADC secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and shot at the gate while destroying vehicles in what appears to be an attempted attack on our lives,” Tanko stated.

Photographs and video clips released after the incident showed damaged sport utility vehicles with shattered windscreens and a gate riddled with bullet holes.

The reported attack has heightened concerns over political tension in Edo State, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of future elections.

The incident also comes barely 24 hours after the African Democratic Congress candidate in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship election, Dr Moses Paul, and the Obidient Movement rejected the outcome of the February 21 poll, alleging widespread irregularities.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Christopher Maikalangu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election with 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid ballots cast. Moses Paul polled 12,109 votes to place second, while the Peoples Democratic Party candidate scored 3,398 votes.

In a statement issued on Monday, Paul accused INEC of mishandling the election, alleging voter suppression, intimidation of supporters, vote buying and manipulation of results in several wards.

The police authorities in Edo State have yet to issue an official statement on the reported attack as of the time of filing this report.