Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has strongly condemned the gunmen attack that occurred in Benin City, Edo State, describing the incident as a troubling reflection of the state of Nigeria’s democracy.

 

Obi spoke in a video circulating online following the attack at the residence of former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, where gunmen reportedly opened fire, riddling the estate gate and several vehicles with bullets.

 

“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 footage while pointing at the visibly damaged 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 terrorising the citizens,” he added.

 

The incident reportedly took place shortly after Obi, Odigie-Oyegun and other political figures attended the formal declaration of Barrister Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin City.

 

A video from the scene showed multiple bullet holes on the estate gate and damaged vehicles parked within the premises, underscoring the intensity of the shooting.

 

The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, alleged that the attackers trailed the political leaders from the ADC Secretariat to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence before opening fire.

 

According to Tanko, the assailants shot at the gate and destroyed several official vehicles in what he described as a failed assassination attempt targeting members of the ADC leadership.

 

“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.

 

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement regarding arrests or the identification of those responsible. Police officers were reportedly deployed to the area as investigations commenced.