Obi breaks silence after gunmen attack
Obi Condemns Gunmen Attack in Benin City Amid Growing Democratic Concerns
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the upcoming 2023 elections, has decried a recent attack by gunmen in Benin City, Edo State, stating that it highlights alarming trends regarding the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
Obi made his remarks in a video shared online after armed individuals reportedly opened fire at the residence of former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, damaging the estate gate and several parked vehicles.
“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,” Obi said, gesturing toward the bullet-riddled gate during the video.
He added, “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 terrorizing the citizens.”
The incident occurred shortly after Obi, Odigie-Oyegun, and other political figures attended the formal announcement of Barrister Olumide Akpata’s affiliation with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin.
Video footage from the scene revealed visible bullet holes on the estate’s gate and damage to several vehicles, illustrating the severity of the assault.
Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, stated the assailants appeared to have followed the political group from the ADC Secretariat to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence before opening fire.
“The leadership of the ADC is under 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, referring to the incident as a failed assassination attempt against the political leaders.
This incident raises serious questions about security and political safety in Nigeria as the nation approaches the elections.
