Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and former Edo governor John Odigie-Oyegun escaped an assassination attempt on Tuesday after gunmen attacked Odigie-Oyegun’s residence in Benin City, Edo state.
The attack occurred shortly after Obi and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) attended the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the party.
Shortly after the incident, Yunusa Tanko, national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, raised the alarm in a post on X. He alleged that armed men trailed the ADC leadership from the party secretariat to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence.
“PO and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State,” Tanko wrote.
“They shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be a survived assassination attempt on our lives. Democracy is in danger.”
Gunmen Open Fire
Meanwhile, a video from the scene began circulating online. In the footage, Obi addressed journalists and pointed to visible damage at the residence.
“This is the residence of a former governor of this state and you can see what happened in front of his house where hoodlums came, shooting,” he said.
“You can see how the bullets destroyed the gates. See the cars damaged and everything. That is where our democracy has reached.”
Obi explained that the attackers struck immediately after the delegation left the ADC secretariat and arrived at Odigie-Oyegun’s home.
Obi said, “Immediately we left the ADC headquarters and came to Odigie-Oyegun’s house, the hoodlums started shooting, destroying vehicles. These are bullet signs.”
Injuries Reported
Furthermore, Obi confirmed that the attack left at least two people injured.
“They shot someone at the secretariat. Shot him twice in the head and beat him mercilessly. They also shot another man in the neck, who has been taken to the hospital,” he said.
He added that security operatives responded to the scene and forced the attackers to flee.
“They ran away when the DSS started retaliating. Those wounded are now at the hospital,” he said.
Obi Raises Alarm
Subsequently, Obi condemned the attack and warned that democracy faces serious threats.
“We have a country and we are part of the country. We can’t be having a meeting and hoodlums will come, terrorising citizens. It is unacceptable,” he said.
As of press time, security agencies had not issued an official statement on the incident.
The attack comes amid rising political tension ahead of the 2027 general election.
