Electioneering for the 2027 general elections in Edo State took a dangerous turn on Tuesday, October 6, as suspected political thugs reportedly opened fire on a convoy of some leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Igueben Local Council Area of the state.
 
A former Labour Party (LP) governorship aspirant and now a chieftain of the ADC in the state, and the party’s Edo Central Senatorial candidate, Herberta Okonofua, and other party leaders were said to have been attacked during the ADC leaders’ political engagements in the area, while a party supporter, identified as Jerry Oliha, reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during the attack.
 
The development has sparked fresh concerns over the growing political tension in Edo State, particularly coming barely a week after All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, was reported to have threatened to deploy AK-47s against perceived opponents in the party’s drive to deliver 2.5 million votes to President Bola Tinubu.
 
In a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Chris Ojeikere, the party alleged that the attackers were led by the Igueben Local Council Chairman, Endurance Azemegbe.
 
Ojeikere lamented that it was the third attack on the entourage within the local council, recalling earlier alleged shootings in Wards 4 and 5.
 
He alleged that the latest attack was part of a wider pattern of violence against opposition members and facilities in the state, citing similar incidents allegedly recorded in Etsako East, Owan West and Owan East.
 
“The Igueben Local Council Chairman has just led a team of gun-toting assailants to attack the entourage of Kenneth Imasuangbon and the Edo Central ADC Senatorial candidate, Herbeta Okonofua. The hoodlum shot a young man, Jerry Oliha, from ADC Ward 6, at the premises of the Enogie of Igueben.
 
“The young man has been rushed to the Irrua Specialist Hospital, where doctors are battling to save his life. This shooting is the third time the entourage was shot at today. First at Ward 4, and then at Ward 5, of the Local Council Area.
 
“ADC will come out with a comprehensive report on this unfortunate policy of violence of the APC shortly. The DPO of the Igueben Local Council Area has been informed and involved in the unfortunate incident.”
 
When contacted, Azemegbe denied any involvement in the alleged attack, saying he was not in Igueben when the incident occurred and was only hearing about it from journalists.
 
Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, could not immediately confirm the incident, but promised that the command would wade into the matter once it was formally reported.