A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has alleged that the attack that disrupted a party gathering in Benin City, Edo State, was an attempted assassination targeting former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, Okonkwo claimed that the violence that trailed the ADC’s political programme on Tuesday was not a random act but a coordinated attempt to eliminate opposition figures.
According to him, he contacted former Edo State governor and ADC stalwart, John Odigie Oyegun, to obtain what he described as first-hand information about the incident.
“I spoke with Chief John Odigie Oyegun, who narrated what happened. From what I gathered, this was not accidental. The attack on Peter Obi in Edo State was an attempted assassination by governmental people or their agents,” Okonkwo said.
Okonkwo further referenced remarks allegedly made by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, warning Obi against visiting the state without clearance and suggesting that his security could not be guaranteed.
He described the warning as a threat to opposition leaders and linked it to the unrest that followed the ADC event.
The ADC chieftain alleged that suspected hoodlums stormed the party venue shortly after the programme ended, causing panic and forcing attendees to flee. He claimed the attackers later trailed some party members to Oyegun’s residence, where property and vehicles were reportedly vandalised.
Okonkwo insisted that the incident reflected a broader attempt to intimidate opposition politicians and weaken alternative political platforms.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force, Edo State Command, confirmed that unrest occurred during a political programme at the ADC State Secretariat located on Ogbelaka Street, off Sapele Road, Benin City.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Command said the disturbance happened at about 2:55 p.m., shortly after the official conclusion of the event when most dignitaries had already departed.
The police said suspected hoodlums infiltrated the gathering, created commotion, chased members away, and vandalised items at the venue.
Officers were immediately deployed to the scene following a distress call, but the attackers reportedly fled upon sighting security operatives.
The Command clarified that no deaths were recorded during the incident, though one woman sustained injuries during the stampede triggered by the chaos.
As of the time of filing this report, the Edo State Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had not issued an official response to Okonkwo’s allegations.