Presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, on Tuesday escaped what party leaders described as an assassination attempt in Benin City, Edo State.
Obi confirmed the incident in a video circulating on social media, stating that he and other party leaders came under attack during a political engagement in the state capital.
Speaking to journalists, Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, alleged that the ADC leadership was targeted shortly after attending the formal defection of former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, to the party.
According to Tanko, the group had moved from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief Odigie-Oyegun when armed men trailed them.
“At the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress, armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun,” he said.
“They shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be a failed assassination attempt on our lives.”
Sources said several vehicles belonging to ADC members were damaged during the attack. No casualties were immediately reported as of press time.
Akpata was the Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State in 2024. The election was won by Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC. Security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
