Obi escapes attack at ADC secretariat

2026-02-25 - 00:56

.We got intelligence of attack says Odigie-Oyegun .APC denies allegation of culpability By Ozioruva Aliu BENIN CITY – FEW minutes after leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) including the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi received former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the LP Edo 2024 governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata into the party, suspected thugs attacked the facility at Ogbelaka Street, Off Sokponba Road accompanied with several gunshots. The suspected thugs said to have rode in an unmarked Sienna Bus and a motorbike destroyed several items in the secretariat including chairs, canopies, banners and other items. Some party members who were still at the party secretariat were reportedly injured during the attack. Not done, the suspected thugs reportedly went to the residence of the National Leader of the ADC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun where several gunshots were heard and several vehicles parked near the entrance gate damaged by the assailants. The attack happened while the dignitaries including Obi, Akpata, Odigie-Oyegun, Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor and others were inside the building. Reacting after the incident, Obi said “it is time to speak up, it is time those in government act, they are not going to be there forever, what they allowed to happen in the country today will take its revenge on all of us and the country.” Speaking to journalists shortly after, Odigie-Oyegun said the incident could cause chaos in the country. According to him, “I am afraid that our leaders, both at the centre and in this state are playing with fire. The consequences could be terrible, much more than any of you expect. I will still talk to the media. “All I wish to say is holding a meeting, scheduled meeting, everybody informed, duly informed, normal meeting in the premises of the party secretariat today, halfway through the proceedings, we got intelligence report certainly from one of the security agencies that they have information that the place is going to be attacked, so we should please try to wind up. “Well, you can’t ignore information. So we cut short our proceedings and I think we were just barely lucky to have left there in time because thereafter it looks like all hell broke loose. People arrived here in about 10 vehicles shooting all over the place, people injured and so the question is clear between the intel coming and our finishing the making. “There was known cooperation, coordination between the security agencies such that that venue at least will get emergency protection. People were able to come in so many vehicles, shoot their way, break into the building, break the office, property and the rest of it and go away and this is a state where we have a governor and where the first duty of any government is to protect us?” On the attack on his residence, Odigie-Oyegun said “They came here. I don’t know if it is a very interesting thing, but we had a guest, of course. The former governor of Anambra and one of the prominent leaders of the ADC. From all indications, an aspirant. “So whether that was what attracted the attack on my premises and my property because the government here had threatened that if he came to Edo State without permission, his security cannot be guaranteed. He was paying a courtesy visit to me and bullets started raining all over the place in my state where I was governor. Edo state. When did we degenerate to that kind of level? So I am still putting my thoughts together. But these are very dangerous, but not good for anyone.” ADC Chair reacts Also speaking, the State Chairman of the ADC, Kennedy Odion said the attackers were from the All Progressives Congress. “We heard APC was coming to attack us. We quickly cut shut the event and ended the programme. Few minutes after we ended, we heard thugs storm the venue. Myself, Peter Obi. Senator Owie and Oyegun have left the venue when we heard about the thugs’ attack. “They injured three people. Everyone was still at the venue. After they scattered the place, they came to Chief Oyegun’s house where we were having another meeting. All the vehicles parked outside were destroyed. “We have reported the matter and the Commissioner of Police came to see the level of damage that has been done. He assured them they will investigate. I told him not to allow this attack slide. Three persons were injured. The vehicles destroyed were many.” APC chair denies allegation When contacted, the Edo State Chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarret Tenebe denied the allegation that the attackers were members of the APC. He said what happened was as a result of factions within the Edo ADC. “Did the attackers wear APC uniforms? What is happening in ADC is a factional fight. You saw Owie fighting Oyegun. They should not drag us into their fight.” Police confirm attack The Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem while confirming the incident said “On 24 February 2026 at about 2:55 p.m., a political gathering was held at the ADC State Secretariat located on Ogbelaka Street, off Sapele Road, Benin City, to welcome new members who defected from the Labour Party. “Shortly after the event concluded, a group of suspected hoodlums disrupted the premises and chased attendees away. Personnel of the Command responded swiftly to the distress call, prompting the suspects to flee the scene. “Some plastic chairs and canopies were damaged during the incident. No casualties were reported “Security has since been reinforced around the premises, and normalcy has been fully restored. The situation remains under control while investigations are ongoing to arrest the perpetrators of this crime” Police take over facilities When Vanguard visited the ADC secretariat at Ogbelaka and Odigie-Oyegun’s house along Reservation Road several armed policemen were sighted around the facilities.