Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, has condemned the gunmen’s attack in Benin City, Edo State, saying the incident underscores growing concerns about the health of Nigeria’s democracy.
Following the attack at the home of former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, where gunmen allegedly opened fire and riddled the gate and many vehicles with bullets, Obi was heard speaking in a video that went viral online.
“This is where our democracy has reached. A former governor, and you can see what happened in front of his house, where hoodlums came shooting,” Obi said in the video clip while pointing to the bullet-riddled gate.
“I assure you this cannot continue; we have a country, and we are a part of it. We cannot have terrorism and have officials in government terrorizing the citizens.”
The incident reportedly occurred shortly after the former Anambra State governor, Odigie-Oyegun, and other political figures attended the formal declaration of Barrister Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin.
The severity of the attack was seen in evident bullet holes on the estate gate and damaged cars in a video taken at the scene.
The attackers allegedly followed the group from the ADC Secretariat to Odigie-Oyegun’s home before firing, according to Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement.
He claimed that the attackers attempted to kill the political leaders in a failed assassination attempt, shooting at the gate and destroying multiple government vehicles.
“The leadership of the ADC is under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State. Armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and shot at the gate, destroying several vehicles,” Tanko said.
