The Obidient Movement has demanded immediate federal intervention following a coordinated attack on former presidential candidate Peter Obi, former APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and other African Democratic Congress leaders in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the movement described the incident as a “premeditated, two-pronged assassination attempt” and called for an independent and transparent investigation free from political interference.

“The Obidient Movement unequivocally condemns the coordinated and violent attack on Mr Peter Obi, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress in Benin City,” the statement shared by National Coordinator Dr Yunusa Tanko read.

The attack involved armed assailants invading the ADC secretariat on Ogbelaka Street shortly after a rally, then following the convoy of party leaders to Chief Odigie-Oyegun’s private residence, where gunfire was opened on vehicles and property.

The Obidient Movement called on the Federal Government to ensure accountability, urging:

“An immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into this assassination attempt, free from the influence of state actors implicated in the attack.

“Federal-level intervention by the Inspector-General of Police to ensure the perpetrators and their sponsors are identified, arrested, and prosecuted.

“A public condemnation from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a directive to his party members in Edo State and political actors across the country to cease all acts of political violence and intimidation.”

The statement noted that the attack follows prior threats from the Edo State Governor on July 18, 2025, that Mr Obi’s security would not be guaranteed if he visited the state without prior clearance.

“Yesterday, that threat was visibly translated into bullets. The connection between that inflammatory rhetoric and this act of violence is impossible to ignore,” the movement said.

The statement added that the attack is part of a broader pattern of intimidation and violence against opposition leaders nationwide, saying, “Things have now regressed from mere rhetoric to actual violence and threats to life. The failure of the state in this matter is glaring.”

The movement reaffirmed its resolve to exercise constitutional rights, declaring, “We will not be intimidated. We will not back down.”

The Obidient Movement also criticized the initial police statement, which referred only to damaged chairs and canopies, describing it as an attempt “to minimize the gravity of what happened,” and called out the Edo State Government for labeling the incident “an internal party matter,” which it said was “an insult to the victims and an abdication of its constitutional duty to protect all citizens.” (The PUNCH)

• Obi and some of the ADC chieftains examining the damaged cars and bullet riddled gates after the attack by the assailants in Edo State. Photo Credit: Obidient Movement