WHAT could have triggered last Tuesday’s attack on the Edo State secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) shortly after the party received the 2024 Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the state, Mr Olumide Akpata, and then the residence of the National Leader of the ADC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, while he was hosting Akpata and others, including the 2023 presidential candidate of the LP, Mr Peter Obi, remains a mystery.

Barely 24 hours before the incident, a fight was reportedly averted at the residence of Odigie-Oyegun when some members of the ADC claimed they were shut out of a meeting of leaders of the party on the orders of Odigie-Oyegun.

Those allegedly shut out included former Chief Whip of the Senate, Sir Rowland Owie, a major financier of the ADC in the state, Sunny A’uebor, a leader of the pa’ty, and Douglas Iyike.

There was tension in the area such that the state Commissioner of Police had to send a squad to avert breakdown of law and order and then talked to the protesting party leaders and their followers to vacate the place.

Meanwhile, four days after the incident, the police said yesterday that no arrests had been made in connection with the attacks.

While some analysts are alleging that the attacks may have been orchestrated by the aggrieved members who, including Owie, have vehemently denied, others believed that the attacks may have come from the government in power.

Those who claimed government may have orchestrated it alleged that Governor Monday Okebholo last year did say that Obi must take permission from the state government before he visits if his safety would be guaranteed.

But last Tuesday, Obi had visited a nursing school run by the Catholic Church in the state capital where he made a financial donation to the school and from there headed to the secretariat of the ADC where he, among others, received Akpata into the party.

Suspected thugs attacked the ADC secretariat a few minutes after the rally, destroying several items.

From there they moved to the residence of Odigie-Oyegun who was attending to his guests inside his compound including Obi and Akpata.

The suspected thugs damaged about five vehicles parked outside the gate, breaking their windscreens and shooting at their tyres.

Government reacts, alleges blackmail

Shortly after videos of the attacks went viral, insinuations became rife that the attackers were allegedly sponsored by the state government going by the way they operated in an unmarked bus and a motorbike.

But the state government, in multiple statements, denied the allegation.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said that APC or the state government could not be blamed for the attacks.

According to him, ADC was already divided based on the issue that took place in Odigie-Oyegun’s house on Monday when some members were shut out.

Afegbua stated that Okpebholo and some members of government were in Abuja attending a conference at the time of the incident, noting that the governor had told the Commissioner of Police to arrest the thugs.

Also, Edo APC Chairman, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, said what happened was as a result of factions within the Edo ADC.

“Did the attackers wear APC uniforms? What is happening in ADC is a factional fight. You saw Owie fighting Oyegun. They should not drag us into their fight”, Tenebe said.

The state government, while absolving itself of alleged involvement, said the internal crisis in the ADC was an issue taken too far.

Okpebholo described the incident as an internal party crisis that was taken too far.

In a statement he personally signed, the governor expressed sympathy with the affected members of ADC, noting that it was unfortunate that certain elements allegedly exploited the peaceful atmosphere of Edo State to perpetrate violence.

”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”, he said.

He stressed that, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, he would 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,” he stated.

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

The governor emphasized that politics should center on performance, engagement with the people, and the continuous effort to earn their trust and confidence.

“This is what we are known for, and we will remain committed to that path,” he added.

Okpebholo argued that when politicians or individuals allegedly orchestrate violence to gain political advantage, it reflects a lack of meaningful value to offer the electorate.

The governor maintained that as a leading political force in the state, his party welcomes healthy opposition and would not be intimidated by what he described as blackmail or self-inflicted attacks.

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

Okpebholo appealed to residents of Edo State to remain calm and steadfast in maintaining peace, urging them not to allow the incident to create a negative impression about the state.

Okpebholo further called on the police and other security agencies to remain vigilant and closely monitor political gatherings that could potentially escalate into violence, reiterating his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.

Doubt

Odigie-Oyegun, for his part, said he was not sure that the assailants would be apprehended considering the way they operated in daylight without hindrance.

He said the intelligence they got while they were still at the ADC secretariat showed that the suspected hoodlums could have met them at the venue and that the attack could have been catastrophic.

“I am not sure there has been any arrest and I am not convinced that there will be any arrest with the nature of the events”, the former governor said.

“When thugs carry guns in broad daylight, and there is security around and nobody is arrested, what do you think of that?

“But we were lucky. Let me emphasise that at least one arm of the security agencies did tell us.

“We were at the party secretariat when they informed us that they had information that the place will be attacked and that we should please round off early and cut the event short.

“We had barely got to my house when we heard that the secretariat had been physically attacked.

“What then occurred to me was that supposed we were still there with the crowd at the event?

“It would have been catastrophic, so we commend the security agency that alerted us that an attack was imminent.”

Owie denies involvement

Owie, for his part, has distanced himself from the attack on the ADC secretariat and the residence of Odigie-Oyegun, saying that in all his political life, he has never been associated with violence.

The statement he issued read: “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 to the intelligence of the Edo people.”

Police investigation

Although the police confirmed the incident and have also increased their presence around Odigie-Oyegun’s residence, the police investigation has commenced but no arrests have been made.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said, “Investigation has already been started by the police, no arrests have been made as of now and we will communicate to you as investigation progresses”. (Sunday Vanguard)

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