The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reacted to the alleged assassination attempt in Benin City, Edo State, describing the incident as a troubling reflection of Nigeria’s democracy.
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Obi spoke in a video circulating online following the attack at the residence of former APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, where gunmen reportedly opened fire and riddled the gate and several vehicles with bullets.
“This is where our democracy has reached. A former governor, and you can see what happened in front of his house, where hoodlums came shooting,” Obi said in the footage while pointing to the bullet-riddled gate.
“I assure you this cannot continue; we have a country, and we are a part of it. We cannot have terrorism and have officials in government terrorising the citizens.”
The incident reportedly occurred shortly after Obi, Odigie-Oyegun and other political figures attended the formal declaration of Barrister Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin on Tuesday.
At the ADC event, hoodlums invaded the venue and began shooting. They specifically chased the vehicle carrying Mr. Peter Obi to Chief John Oyegun’s house and continued their attack. The situation remained chaotic, with those nearby trying to ascertain whether Mr. Obi was wounded.
@thenigerialawyer“We Cannot Have Terrorism And Have Officials In Government Terrorising Citizens” — Peter Obi Reacts To Alleged Assassination Attempt In Benin City
A video from the scene showed visible bullet holes on the estate gate and damaged vehicles, indicating the intensity of the attack.
Obi’s media PA, Val Obienyem, said: “Look at how hoodlums came and started shooting at the ADC office. Look at the bullets scattered on the ground and the several cars that were damaged. This is the state our democracy has reached. This cannot continue. We have a country, and we are part of it.”
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, said the attackers allegedly trailed the group from the ADC Secretariat to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence before opening fire.
According to him, the assailants shot at the gate and destroyed several official vehicles in what he described as a failed assassination attempt targeting the political leaders.
“The leadership of the ADC is under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State. Armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and shot at the gate, destroying several vehicles,” Tanko said.
In a message received by Objectv Media from Dr. Tanko, the armed men shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles. Dr. Tanko said it was more like an assassination attempt on them.
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Yunusa Tanko told Daily Sun that chieftains of the party, including Mr Peter Obi and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, were in Benin City to witness the declaration of Barrister Olumide Akpata into the ADC and were attacked by suspected assassins, who had their official vehicles riddled with bullets at the residence of Chief Oyegun.
Barrister Akpata contested the governorship of Edo State in the last election that produced Mr Monday Okpebholo.
The attack has raised serious concerns about political violence and security in Edo State, with party officials describing it as a dangerous escalation of political tensions and calling for immediate investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators.
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