The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on Wednesday condemned the alleged attack on former presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) John Odigie-Oyegun, and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State.
IPAC’s National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, who revealed this in a statement issued in Abuja, described the incident as a dangerous escalation of political intolerance.
He said, “The Inter-Party Advisory Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and reprehensible attack on former presidential candidate Peter Obi, former APC National Chairman and former Governor of Edo State John Odigie-Oyegun, and other leaders of the ADC following a political ceremony to formally welcome Olumide Apata into the party in Edo State.
“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 also constitute a direct assault on Nigeria’s democratic order.
“Political contestation must never descend into violence. 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 and decisively addressed. Democracy thrives on the healthy competition of ideas, not the barrel of a gun.”
The council urged President Bola Tinubu and the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, to intervene and ensure accountability.
“IPAC calls on President Bola Tinubu to rise above partisan considerations and unequivocally condemn this dastardly act. We further urge him to deploy the full machinery of the federal government to ensure that all those responsible for this coordinated violence are tracked, arrested, and prosecuted without delay.
“We equally call on the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, to demonstrate statesmanship by rising above party lines and ensuring that justice is served. IPAC warns that a culture of violence and intolerance against opposition parties poses a serious threat to national stability.
“If left unchecked, it could create a dangerous precedent where political disagreements are settled through force rather than through democratic processes,” Martins stated.
Following claims that Obi, Odigie-Oyegun, and other ADC chieftains had been attacked by alleged thugs in Benin, Edo State, during political events related to Olumide Akpata’s official party declaration, IPAC responded.
Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide and former campaign spokesperson for Obi, had previously expressed concern in a statement released in Abuja.
Tanko shared images and videos of multiple SUVs with broken windshields and a bullet-riddled gate leading to Odigie-Oyegun’s home.
As opposition leaders continue to contest recent election results and voice concerns about the safety of political actors and the status of Nigeria’s democracy, the reported attack on Tuesday has increased worries about growing political tensions in Edo State.
But in a quick response, the state government denounced Obi’s allegations that state government officials had targeted members of his political camp as spiteful and untrue.
According to the authorities, the ADC’s narrative blatantly misrepresented the facts.
“The Edo State Government has noted with concern the allegation by former Anambra State governor and Labour Party figure Peter Obi that members of his political camp were attacked by government officials in Edo State,” the government said in a statement released on Tuesday by Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo.
