Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the attack on Peter Obi, John Odigie-Oyegun and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that Nigeria must not descend into political violence.
Hoodlums attacked Obi, Oyegun, and other ADC stalwarts at Oyegun’s residence in Benin City, Edo state, on Tuesday.
In a statement reacting to the incident, Atiku described the attack as “utterly condemnable and unacceptable in any democracy.”
‘Violence Did Not Occur in a Vacuum’
Atiku linked the attack to what he called rising inflammatory rhetoric within the ruling party in Edo state.
He said, “In recent times, we have witnessed reckless and inflammatory rhetoric from elements within the ruling party in Edo State, rhetoric that dangerously legitimises violence against political opponents
“Words, when weaponised, often precede actions. What happened in Benin did not occur in a vacuum.”
He warned that Nigeria appears to be entering a dangerous phase where opposition voices face both institutional harassment and physical attacks.
“The ruling APC appears to have escalated its intolerance from bureaucratic suppression to open aggression,” he added.
Calls for Federal Responsibility
Furthermore, Atiku said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security chiefs bear a constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property without discrimination.
The ADC chieftain said, “The safety of opposition leaders and supporters is not a favour; it is a democratic obligation.”
He cautioned that the country must not allow politics to devolve into violence.
“Nigeria must not descend into a theatre where politics is settled by violence,” he stated.
Obi Speaks After Attack
Meanwhile, a video from the scene has circulated widely on social media.
In the footage, Obi addressed journalists shortly after the attack and described the incident as “unacceptable.”
He pointed to visible damage at the residence and insisted that democracy must not accommodate violence against political actors.
