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From Tony Osauzo and Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Suspected thugs in an unmarked Sienna bus and motorbike, yesterday, stormed the Edo State Secretariat of African Democratic Congress (ADC), located at Ogbelaka, off Sakponba, Benin City, firing shots and injuring three persons.
The attack occurred shortly after former Labour Party candidate in Edo State 2024 governorship election, Olumide Akpata and his running mate, Yusuf Kadiri, defected to the party and were received by one of the party’s presidential aspirants, Peter Obi and other leaders.
The Edo State Chairman of the ADC, Kennedy Odion, has, however, fingered the rival All Progressives Congress (APC) for the attack.
“We heard the APC was coming to attack us. We quickly cut short the event and ended the programme. A few minutes after we ended, we heard that thugs stormed the venue. Myself, Obi, Senator Owie and Oyegun had left the venue when we heard about the thugs’ attack.
“They injured three people. Every other person 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 would investigate. I told him not to allow this attack slide. Three persons were injured. The vehicles destroyed were many,” he said.
But reacting to the ADC chairman’s allegation, the state chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, 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,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ADC has condemned the violent attack on its Edo State Secretariat in a statement by Mabel Oboh, the party’s South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary.
She said fortunately, key dignitaries, including Obi, Oyegun, ADC National Chief Whip, Festus Igbinoba, National Legal Adviser, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor and ADC South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary Oboh, had just left the venue before the attack.
Oboh said this marks the second time the ADC Edo State Secretariat was targeted in violent attacks.
She alleged that preliminary reports suggest involvement of members of the APC, although investigations remain ongoing.
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“What happened to our Edo State secretariat is not just an attack on a party, it is an attack on democracy itself.
“Politics must never be a theatre of violence, intimidation or harassment. Political participation must be safe, organised and lawful.
“ADC emphasises that preparedness is a responsibility, not an act of aggression. The party does not endorse violence, but it will not tolerate intimidation.
“The safety of our members remains paramount and security measures will stay strict at all levels, even during small meetings.
“Our movement is peaceful. Our focus is strategic. Our operations are structured. No one should be allowed to use violence to shine politically at the expense of others,” the statement said.
It disclosed that the ADC Edo national leader, Chief Odigie-Oyegun has invited the authorities and the police to the scene of the incident and the ADC as a party has called on law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to investigate the attack swiftly and ensure those responsible were brought to justice.
“Democracy is strengthened when political actors conduct themselves lawfully, responsibly and with respect for citizens’ rights and safety, for serious minds only.
“ADC will continue to protect its members, defend democratic principles and participate in politics with dignity and discipline.
“We will inform you as more information becomes available,” the statement added.
Confirming the attack, spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, said: “On February 24, at about 2:55pm, 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 was 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.”
