• Party alleges assassination attempt
• Akpata joins ADC

FORMER presidential candidate, Peter Obi, erstwhile National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, and some chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were, yesterday, allegedly attacked by suspected thugs in Edo State.

The hoodlums allegedly stormed the party secretariat, destroying facilities and injuring party members. Some plastic chairs and canopies were damaged during the incident, though no casualties were recorded.

The attackers reportedly moved to the residence of Odigie-Oyegun shortly after a political event in the state capital. Oyegun had led other ADC leaders, including Obi, to receive the former Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2024 gubernatorial election in the state, Olumide Akpata, into the party at the time of the incident.

Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja.

The statement reads: “Peter Obi and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State. At the formal declaration of Akpata into the ADC, armed individuals followed us from the party secretariat to the residence of John Odigie-Oyegun.

“They shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be an assassination attempt on our lives. Democracy is in danger.”

Meanwhile, in photos and videos sent by Tanko, several SUV windscreens were smashed, while the gate leading to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence was riddled with bullets.

The alleged attack has heightened the political tensions in the state.
A video circulating online captures the aftermath of the incident, showing several vehicles and the estate gate riddled with bullet holes.

The incident comes barely 24 hours after the ADC candidate in the Abuja Municipal Area Council chairmanship election, Dr Moses Paul, and the Obidient Movement, on Monday, rejected the outcome of the February 21 poll, alleging widespread irregularities, insisting that the declared results did not reflect the true will of the people.

HOWEVER, Akpata, who was handed the party card by the ADC state chairman, Kennedy Odion, said he took the decision after Obi joined the party on December 31, 2025, to add value.

Akpata expressed gratitude for the warm reception, thanking the ADC for its belief in a new Nigeria and the Obidient Movement for its steadfastness.

In his remarks during the event, Obi expressed commitment to a new Nigeria, adding: “Our commitment to a new Nigeria is total, though they are doing everything possible to stop us.

“We must build a nation that works for all, not a few. This country is currently working for a few; it shouldn’t be so, we are all Nigerians.

“As a matter of fact, we must move this country from the status of consumption to production.”
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Odion, who thanked Obi for his steadfastness, said the party is committed to building a new Nigeria.

Oyegun, on his part, said: “Our stocks are growing every day, not just in number but in quality. Nigeria is a nation that needs to be saved.”

Prof. Osunbor, who expressed optimism that the Oyegun-led coalition would lead ADC to victory in 2027, added: “Oyegun led the coalition in 2013 that led APC to victory in 2015, and he is leading the coalition now under ADC to lead us to victory in 2027. He is someone who has always led a coalition to victory. We are sure he is going to lead this coalition to victory.”