Political gatherings in Nigeria are increasingly becoming high-risk events, and the latest incident in Benin City has only deepened fears about how unsafe the democratic space may be.
Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate (he has joined a new party; Africa’s Democratic Congress) has condemned the gunmen attack in Benin City, Edo State, saying the incident reflects deepening concerns about the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
Obi spoke in a video circulating online after gunmen reportedly opened fire at the residence of former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun. 
In the footage, Obi is seen pointing at the gate, saying, “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.”
He warned that such incidents must not be allowed to continue.
“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.”
ALSO READ: Nigeria Gets a New Inspector General of Police: Who Is Tunji Disu and Why Now?
The attack reportedly occurred 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.
Videos from the scene showed visible bullet holes on the estate gate and several damaged vehicles, which truly highlight the intensity of the shooting.
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, alleged that the attackers trailed the delegation from the ADC Secretariat to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence before opening fire.
According to Tanko, the gunmen shot at the gate and destroyed official vehicles in what he described as a failed assassination attempt.
“The ADC leadership is facing a 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 press time, security agencies have not released an official statement on the incident.
About The Author
Keep Up to Date with the Most Important News
