Widespread condemnation, yesterday, trailed the gun attack on Edo State secretariat of African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the residence of the party’s national leader and former Edo State governor, John Odigie-Oyegun, during which former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and other party leaders narrowly escaped harm.

The attack, which occurred after a political event in Benin City, has drawn outrage from political parties, civil society groups and stakeholders, who warned that such violence pose grave danger to Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While condemning the incident, Governor Monday Okpebholo denied any involvement and described the development as an internal crisis within the ADC taken too far.

This was as ADC threatened to drag the All Progressives Congress, APC, before the ECOWAS Court of Justice over what it described as a gun attack and assassination attempt on its leaders in Edo State, warning that the development points to a troubling slide for Nigeria’s democracy.

IPAC demands arrest, prosecution of culprits

In Abuja, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, described the attack as a “brazen and reprehensible assault” on democracy.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Egbeola Martins, IPAC called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

“We unequivocally condemn the brazen and reprehensible attack on former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and former Governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun and other leaders of the ADC.

“The reported assault on the ADC secretariat as well as the attack on the residence of Chief Odigie-Oyegun by suspected thugs represents one of the gravest manifestations of political intolerance in recent times. Such acts are not only criminal but constitute a direct assault on Nigeria’s democratic order.

“The use of thuggery, intimidation and brute force to silence opposition voices is dangerous, unacceptable and capable of derailing our hard-earned democracy if not urgently addressed. Democracy thrives on healthy competition of ideas, not the barrel of a gun,” IPAC said.

The council urged President Bola Tinubu to “rise above partisan considerations” and ensure that all perpetrators were tracked, arrested and prosecuted without delay.

It also urged Governor Okpebholo to “demonstrate statesmanship” and guarantee justice, warning that a culture of violence against opposition parties could threaten national stability.

No political grievance justifies violence — Okpebholo

Governor Okpebholo, in a personally signed statement, condemned the incident and expressed sympathy with affected ADC members.

He said: “As peace-loving people, the importation of thugs and miscreants from outside the state under the guise of party politics remains totally condemned and will not be tolerated going forward.

“As Chief Security Officer of the state, I will not stand by and allow Edo to be turned into a theatre of conflict in the name of political rivalry.”

“Even though the precise motive behind this attack may not yet be fully known, I strongly believe that the ultimate objective is to discredit Edo State and undermine its reputation as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.’’

The governor further declared that no amount of political blackmail will sway the people of Edo from supporting a government they hold dear.

He emphasised that politics should centre on performance, engagement with the people and the continuous effort to earn their trust and confidence, saying “this is what we are known for, and we will remain committed to that path.”

He argued that when politicians or individuals allegedly orchestrate violence to gain political advantage, it reflected a lack of meaningful value to offer the electorate, adding that as a leading political force in the state, his party welcomes healthy opposition and will not be intimidated by what he described as blackmail or self-inflicted attacks.

While sympathising with members of the ADC and condemning the incident, the governor advised the party to refrain from directing accusations outside its fold, suggesting that the matter appeared to stem from internal disagreements.

PDP raises alarm

However, Edo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, alleged that recent public accusations linking the ADC to cultism could have inflamed tensions.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, the party said: “The sequence is deeply concerning. First, inflammatory accusations. Then threats of demolition. Now reported armed intimidation. This trajectory must be halted immediately.

“No governor in a constitutional democracy possesses the power to criminalise political opposition by proclamation.”

The PDP urged security agencies to remain professional and loyal to the Constitution, rather than “transient political office holders.”

“Edo people deserve leadership that inspires confidence, not anxiety. A government secure in its mandate does not fear opposition,” the party stated.

We’ll drag APC to ECOWAS Court over ‘political terror’ — ADC

Reacting to the attacks, the ADC threatened to take the APC to the ECOWAS Court of Justice over assassination attempt on its leaders in Edo State.

The opposition party said the attack targeted Oyegun, Peter Obi and Olumide Akpata, declaring that it will pursue all lawful options, including international legal action, if what it called threats against its members continued.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated: “The African Democratic Congress condemns, in the strongest possible terms, yesterday’s disturbing gun attack and assassination attempt in Edo State targeting Chief John Oyegun, former governor of Edo State and Chairman of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee; Mr. Peter Obi, a national leader of our party; and Mr. Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate for Edo State who recently joined the ADC.

“This was not an isolated incident. It bears the unmistakable marks of a dangerous and escalating pattern of political intimidation and terror against our party across the country. The resort to gunfire against lawful political actors represents an act of terrorism against the opposition, which has no place in a constitutional democracy.”

ADC also expressed concern over what it described as inflammatory rhetoric by Edo State governor Monday Okpebholo, saying such comments had worsened tensions in the state.

“We are particularly alarmed by the pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and threats that have preceded these events, including the outrageous claim by Governor Okpebholo, who had earlier issued a threat that he would not guarantee the safety of Mr. Peter Obi should he visit Edo State.

“The governor has since gone ahead to make further ridiculous and irresponsible claims that the ADC is sponsoring cultism in Edo State, and threatened to start demolishing properties of the opposition in the State.

“Let it be said plainly: Nigeria is not a private estate. Edo State is not the personal property of any party or any governor. No elected official has the constitutional authority to threaten, harass, or endanger law-abiding political actors for exercising their democratic rights. Our members and supporters across Edo State and Nigeria have the constitutional right to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and right to lawful self-defence.

“We are compiling all cases of acts of terrorism by the ruling APC against our party. We shall soon be making our reports available to all diplomatic missions as well as the ECOWAS Court of Human Rights,” Abdullahi said.

The party added that it will not bow to intimidation and urged its members nationwide to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding while carrying out their political activities.

Owie distance self from attack sponsors

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the ADC and former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie has distanced himself from the attack and dismissed allegations that the attacks were because of the rift between him and Odigie-Oyegun.

He said in a statement: “In all my political life since 1979, when I was first elected into the House of Representatives, I have never been involved in violent politics. I have built a career on dialogue, legislative integrity, and service. I would not begin to tarnish a four-decade legacy now.

“To suggest I would sponsor an attack on a gathering where my own brother, Chief Oyegun, and respected colleagues like Peter Obi were present is not just a lie, it is an insult on the intelligence of the Edo people.”

It’s prelude to chaos – Imansuagbon

ADC chieftain and former governorship aspirant, Chief Ken Imansuagbon, described the incident as rising political intolerance.

“What happened on Tuesday is a prelude to chaos and anarchy if not checked,” he warned.

He alleged that the attack bore “the imprint of ruling party hirelings” and called on President Tinubu to rein in members of the ruling party in Edo State.

“It is embarrassing and unbecoming of a state with our democratic history,” he added.

This is second attack on ADC — Okundaye

A Labour Party chieftain and National Coordinator of Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress, LPPMC, Dr Kingsley Okundaye, strongly condemned the attack, saying it was the second time the ADC Edo State had been targeted in violent attacks.

“What happened to the Edo State secretariat of ADC is not just an attack on a party, it is an attack on democracy itself. Politics must never be a theatre of violence, intimidation, or harassment. Political participation must be safe, organised, and lawful,” he added, and called on acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, and other security agencies to wade into the heinous crime and ensure that justice was served.

It’s attack on democracy – Obidient Movement

Edo State chapter of Obidient Movement, led by Mr. Asemota Igiogbe, said the violence represented “a dangerous descent into political lawlessness.”

The group said: “We state without ambiguity: this attack is an attack on democracy itself. When political leaders are threatened, opposition figures are attacked with firearms, and peaceful political gatherings are disrupted by violence, Nigeria inches dangerously toward authoritarianism. They demanded:

…The immediate arrest and prosecution of all individuals involved in this attack.

…A transparent investigation into the roles played by political actors whose statements may have incited or emboldened this violence.

…A clear guarantee of safety for all political leaders, party members, and citizens regardless of party affiliation.

“We remind those in power that history is unforgiving to regimes that choose repression over dialogue. The Obidient Movement will not be intimidated, silenced, or forced into retreat by violence. Our commitment to a new Nigeria, founded on justice, equity, and the rule of law, remains unshaken.”

Attack premeditated – NAC

A public policy think-tank, the Neo Africana Centre, NAC, described the attack as premeditated.

In a statement by its Executive Director, Dr Amanze Obi, the centre said the incident “sends the signal that prominent opposition figures in Nigeria are no longer safe as we move closer to the 2027 general elections.

“We, therefore, call on appropriate security agencies to launch a probe into the incident. Nigerians need to know who the attackers are and their exact mission.’’

It stressed that Peter Obi’s right to freedom of movement and association was constitutionally guaranteed and must not be abridged.

Akpoti-Uduaghan denounces attack

Also condemning the attack, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), described it as a disturbing development which had no place in democracy.

According to her, the intimidation and threats by state and non-state actors against perceived political opponents should be condemned by all who wish Nigeria well.

Her words: “I strongly condemn the reported assassination attempt on former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and former National Chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, in Edo State. This development is deeply disturbing and has no place in our democracy. Politics must never descend into violence, intimidation, or threats against perceived opponents.

“I am particularly concerned about overzealous political actors who, in a bid to impress or show loyalty to Mr. President or any other leader, take it upon themselves to harass or attack members of the opposition. Such actions are reckless, counter-productive, and dangerous to our national unity.

“Democracy thrives on healthy competition, free expression, and the protection of dissenting voices. The opposition has every constitutional right to organise, mobilise, and carry out political activities without fear. Attempts to silence or endanger them undermine the very foundation of our democratic system.

“I call on security agencies to thoroughly investigate this incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Nigeria must remain a nation where political differences are resolved through dialogue and the ballot…not through violence.”

Group warns against reducing Nigeria s democracy to battleground of fear

In like manner, the Delta Democrats Forum, DDU, warned against reducing the country’s democracy to a battleground of fear.

In a statement by its Convener, Mr. Ufuoma Atare, the group lamented that Nigeria’s democracy is sliding into a dangerous trajectory where intimidation and brute force are replacing dialogue and healthy political competition.

“This is not politics, but madness”, the statement said, emphasising that “politics must never degenerate into violence; democracy thrives on ideas and the will of the people and not thuggery and orchestrated attacks.”

“We remain committed to the highest standards of integrity, transparency and regulatory compliance in all our operations.” (Vanguard)

Update news