…Moves to report attack to ECOWAS Court
…Anambra Rep urges probe amid national outrage
By MBACHU GODWIN, and Paul Effiong, Abuja
African Democratic Congress, ADC, has strongly condemned assassination attempt on the lives of Edo State former Covernor Chief John Oyegun, party leader, Mr. Peter Obi, and Olumide Akpata and other party chieftains in Benin City, Edo State, saying “This was not an isolated incident. It bears the unmistakable marks of a dangerous and escalating pattern of political intimidation and terror against our party across the country”.
In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the resort to gunfire against lawful political actors represents an act of terrorism against the opposition, which has no place in a constitutional democracy.
The party also accused Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, of making inflammatory claims and threats that have heightened tensions and could lead to further breakdown of law and order.
The statement reads: “The African Democratic Congress, ADC, condemn in the strongest possible terms, yesterday’s disturbing gun attack and assassination attempt in Edo State targeting Chief John Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State and Chairman of the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee; Mr. Peter Obi, a national leader of our party; and Mr. Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate for Edo State who recently joined the ADC.
“We are particularly alarmed by the pattern of inflammatory rhetoric and threats that have preceded these events, including the outrageous claim by the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who had earlier issued a threat that he would not guarantee the safety of Mr. Peter Obi should he visit Edo State”.
The statement added that”Nigeria is not a private estate. Edo State is not the personal property of any party or any governor. No elected official has the constitutional authority to threaten, harass, or endanger law-abiding political actors for exercising their democratic rights. Our members and supporters across Edo State and Nigeria have the constitutional right to freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and right to lawful self-defence.
The Federal Government and the Edo State Government are free to continue on their present course.
“But let there be no misunderstanding: if any harm comes to our leaders, members, or supporters as a result of this escalating climate of official hostility, intimidation, or incitement, the responsibility for whatever consequences follow will rest squarely with those who chose the path of provocation over the path of peace.
The party also stated that it will report the attack to the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Court of Human Rights.
“We are compiling all cases of acts of terrorism by the ruling APC against our party. We shall soon be making our reports available to all diplomatic missions as well as the ECOWAS Court of Human Rights.
Let no one be left in doubt: Regardless of the level of intimidation, ADC will not bow to terror and will take all lawful means to protect its members and facilities across the country. We urge all our members to remain vigilant and to go about their lawful activities without fear”.
Meanwhile, nember representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe has condemned the reported assassination attempt on presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, in Benin, Edo State.
Addressing journalists at the National Assembly yesterday in Abuja, Uzokwe described the incident as a direct attack on Nigeria’s democracy and constitutional order.
He expressed concern that a leading figure of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, could face such grave danger while engaging with citizens and ordinary people.
Noting that there was no room for violence in Nigeria democratic society, the lawmaker observed that an attack on a presidential aspirant was not merely personal but an assault and affront on the collective rights of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders.
He maintained that democracy could only thrives on the competition of ideas, not intimidation or bloodshed, warning that militarising the political space only threatens the nation’s stability.
Uzokwe therefor called on the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, to immediately address the situation as the chief security officer of the state.
The lawmaker also emphasised that leadership demands accountability, urging the governor to ensure the safety of all political actors regardless of party affiliation.
He warned that silence or indifference at such a critical moment would be unacceptable.
Uzokwe further demanded a transparent and independent investigation into the incident, insisting that all perpetrators, sponsorsvand collaborators, no matter how highly placed, must be identified and prosecuted according to the law, noting that failure to do so would signal tolerance for political violence and emboldens those seeking to destabilise Nigeria.
On the way forward, the lawmaker called on security agencies to act swiftly and professionally and bring the perpetrators to book while urging political leaders across party lines to condemn the attack.
He also appealed to Nigerians to remain calm but vigilant, reaffirming that democracy must be protected at all costs for the sake of posterity.
