A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, narrowly escaped what has been described as an assassination attempt following an attack on members of the Obidient Movement in Benin City, Edo State.
The alarm was raised on Tuesday by the National Coordinator of the movement, Yunusa Tanko, who disclosed that armed thugs opened fire on Obi and supporters during a political event in the state capital. The incident reportedly occurred during the formal defection of Olumide Akpata to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a terse statement titled “Breaking Red Alert in Benin, Edo State,” Tanko said Obi and senior figures of the ADC came under attack shortly after the defection ceremony. According to him, suspected armed individuals allegedly trailed the convoy from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of John Odigie-Oyegun, a former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
Tanko alleged that the attackers fired gunshots at the gate of the residence and vandalised several vehicles, creating panic among party members and residents in the area. He described the incident as a “survived assassination attempt,” warning that the lives of Obi and other political leaders were under serious threat.
“PO and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State,” Tanko stated, adding that the development poses grave danger to Nigeria’s democratic process. He called on security agencies to urgently investigate the incident and ensure the safety of political actors and citizens alike.
As of the time of this report, the Edo State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the alleged attack. The incident has, however, sparked widespread concern over rising political violence ahead of future elections.
