Former Governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun, has recounted how he, Peter Obi and other members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) survived an assassination attempt.
It was gathered that fw minutes after ADC leaders, including Peter Obi, received former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the LP Edo 2024 governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, into the party, gunmen attacked the facility at Ogbelaka Street, Off Sokponba Road, Benin City, and the residence of the party’s National Leader, Odigie-Oyegun.
Some eyewitnesses who spoke to Vanguard disclosed that the assailants, who arrived in an unmarked Sienna bus and on a motorcycle, fired several gunshots and vandalised party property, including chairs, canopies and banners. Some members reportedly sustained injuries.
After that, the gunmen reportedly moved to the residence of Odigie-Oyegun on Reservation Road, where more gunshots were heard, and vehicles parked near the gate were riddled with bullets.
Speaking to journalists, Odigie-Oyegun disclosed how they were able to survive the attack.
“I am afraid that our leaders, both at the centre and in this state, are playing with fire. The consequences could be terrible, much more than any of you expect,” he said.
According to him, the meeting at the secretariat was duly scheduled when they received a security alert.
“Halfway through the proceedings, we got intelligence report certainly from one of the security agencies that they have information that the place is going to be attacked, so we should please try to wind up.
“You can’t ignore information. So we cut short our proceedings and I think we were just barely lucky to have left there in time because thereafter it looked like all hell broke loose. People arrived here in about 10 vehicles shooting all over the place… People were injured,” he explained
He questioned the absence of coordinated security response.
“There was no cooperation or coordination between the security agencies such that that venue at least will get emergency protection. People were able to come in so many vehicles, shoot their way, break into the building… and go away. And this is a state where we have a governor and where the first duty of any government is to protect us?” he said.
On the attack on his home, he added: “We had a guest… the former governor of Anambra and one of the prominent leaders of the ADC. From all indications, an aspirant.
“The government here had threatened that if he came to Edo State without permission, his security cannot be guaranteed. He was paying a courtesy visit to me and bullets started raining all over the place… When did we degenerate to that kind of level?”
Obi, narrating his ordeal, declared: “It is time to speak up. It is time those in government act. They are not going to be there forever. What they allowed to happen in the country today will take its revenge on all of us and the country.”
Recall that Obi pulled over six million votes under the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential election, won by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He also won the nation’s capital and defeated the incumbent in Lagos State.
Obi has since defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and is hoping to edge out former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi for the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election.
Who do you think is behind this violent attack on Peter Obi and ADC leaders? Share your thoughts in the comment below.
