ADC secretariat, Odigie-Oyegun’s house attacked in Benin
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and a national leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), John Odigie-Oyegun, have condemned a violent attack by suspected thugs on the party’s secretariat
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and a national leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), John Odigie-Oyegun, have condemned a violent attack by suspected thugs on the party’s secretariat in Benin City, Edo State, which left three persons injured.
The incident occurred shortly after Obi, Odigie-Oyegun, former Senate Chief Whip Senator Rowland Owie and the Edo State Chairman of the ADC, Kennedy Odion, left the party secretariat.
They had gone to receive former Labour Party governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, who defected to the ADC.
Eyewitnesses said party members were still at the venue when the suspected hoodlums stormed the secretariat, disrupting activities and vandalized the property.
It was further alleged that the attackers moved to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence, where vehicles parked outside were vandalised, and shots were fired.
Edo ADC Chairman told our reporter that the incident had been reported to the police, accusing the All Progressives Congress of orchestrating the attack.
But Governor Monday Okpebholo said neither his government nor his party, the APC had anything to do with the violence.
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Edo ADC chair said: “We heard APC was coming to attack us, so we quickly cut short the programme.
“A few minutes after we left, thugs stormed the venue. Three people were injured.
“After destroying the secretariat, they came to Chief Oyegun’s house and destroyed many vehicles parked outside.
“The Commissioner of Police has visited and promised an investigation.”
Edo APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, dismissed the allegation, describing the incident as an internal crisis within the ADC.
He asked: “Did the attackers wear APC uniform?. What is happening in ADC is factional fighting.
“Owie and Oyegun are fighting each other. They should not drag us into their problem.”
Confirming the incident, the Edo State Police Command said a political gathering was disrupted by suspected hoodlums but played down the extent of the damage.
Police spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said patrol teams responded promptly and that no casualties were officially recorded, adding that security had been reinforced in the area.
Obi and Odigie-Oyegun, in separate reactions, condemned the attack, warning of grave consequences if political violence is allowed to persist.
Obi said it was time for those in government to act decisively.
“It is time to speak up and for the government to act. They will not be there forever. What they allow to happen today will take its revenge on all of us and on the country,” he said.
Odigie-Oyegun described the incident as dangerous and capable of plunging the country into chaos.
He said intelligence reports had warned of a planned attack, forcing the party to end its meeting abruptly.
He said: “We were just lucky to have left in time.
“People arrived in several vehicles, shooting, injuring people and destroying property.
“This is a state with a governor, and the first duty of government is to protect lives and property.”
On the attack on his residence, Odigie-Oyegun said the presence of Obi in Edo State may have attracted the violence.
He noted that shots were fired at his home during a courtesy visit.
He asked: “When did we degenerate to this level? These developments are dangerous and not good for anyone.”
Okpebholo: I didn’t direct attack
Edo State Government denied directing the attack on ADC leaders.
Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Patrick Ebojele, in a statement, recalled the governor’s earlier position regarding high-profile political visits to Edo State, where he made it clear that his comments were purely guided by security responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of the state, and not borne out of political hostility toward any individual or group.
“Governor Okpebholo had consistently maintained that politically exposed persons are expected to notify relevant authorities ahead of major public engagements to enable adequate security coordination in the interest of public safety.
“We view any attempt to twist the governor’s security advisory into claims of intimidation or orchestrated attacks as unfortunate, misleading and politically motivated.
“For the avoidance of doubt, just yesterday (Monday), a faction of the ADC led by former Chief Whip of the Senate, Roland Owie, was shut out of a meeting held at the residence of John Odigie-Oyegun’s due to an internal crisis within the party and was only resolved following the arrival of a detachment of armed police officers.
“It is now evident that the ADC and, by extension, Peter Obi are mischievous and making efforts to cast aspersion on the good things that this administration is doing.
“It only suggests to us that Peter Obi is synonymous with violence, and the state government will not condone such acts.
