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Former Edo State governorship aspirant, Kenneth Imasuangbon, the African Democratic Congress’ (ADC) Edo Central senatorial candidate, Hon. Herberta Okonofua, and other party leaders reportedly escaped unhurt after suspected political thugs opened fire on their convoy in Igueben Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.
The ADC alleged that the attackers, suspected to be loyalists of the ruling All Progressives Congress, were led by the Chairman of Igueben Local Government Council, Hon. Endurance Azemegbe.
A party supporter, identified as Jerry Oliha, was reportedly shot during the incident and rushed to the Irrua Specialist Hospital, where he was said to be receiving treatment.
The alleged attack occurred during political engagements by ADC leaders in the area and was said to be the third time the entourage came under attack within the local government on Tuesday.
According to the party, the first two incidents occurred in Wards 4 and 5 before the convoy was allegedly attacked again at the premises of the Enogie of Igueben.
The development has heightened concerns over rising political tension in Edo State ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ADC, in a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Chris Ojeikere, alleged that the incident was part of a broader pattern of attacks against opposition members and facilities across the state.
The party cited alleged similar incidents in Etsako East, Owan West and Owan East Local Government Areas.
Ojeikere said, “The Igueben Local Government Chairman has just led a team of gun-totting assailants to attack the entourage of Kenneth Imasuangbon and the Edo Central ADC Senatorial candidate, Hon. Herberta Okonofua.
“The hoodlum shot fatally at a young man, Jerry Oliha, from ADC Ward 6, at the premises of the Enogie of Igueben.
“The young man has been rushed to the Irrua Specialist Hospital, where doctors are battling to save his life. This shooting is the third time the entourage was shot at today. First at Ward 4, and then at Ward 5 of the local government area.”
The party further said it would issue a comprehensive report on what it described as “the unfortunate policy of violence” allegedly linked to the APC, adding that the Divisional Police Officer in Igueben had been informed of the incident.
The allegation comes barely a week after the APC State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, was reportedly accused of threatening to deploy AK-47 rifles against perceived political opponents as part of efforts to deliver 2.5 million votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
However, Azemegbe denied involvement in the alleged attack.
Speaking when contacted, the council chairman said he was not in Igueben when the incident occurred and only learnt about it from journalists.
“I was not around and I don’t know what happened. I am just hearing this from you. I can assure you that I will investigate the matter.
“I can’t say anything about what I didn’t know. The thing is strange to me. We are peaceful people and brothers in Igueben,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the Command could not immediately confirm the incident.
She, however, said the police would wade into the matter once a formal report was made.
