Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi on Tuesday escaped what his supporters described as an assassination attempt in Benin City, Edo State, after armed men trailed his convoy and opened fire at the residence of former All Progressives Congress National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun.
The incident occurred shortly after Obi attended a political rally at the African Democratic Congress secretariat on Ogbelaka Street. The event marked the formal defection of former Labour Party governorship candidate Olumide Akpata to the ADC.
Trouble reportedly began at the rally venue when suspected hoodlums stormed the secretariat. Witnesses said the attackers destroyed canopies and chairs, causing panic among supporters and guests.
The disruption forced attendees to flee the area for safety. Opposition leaders at the event, including Obi, were quickly escorted out of the venue amid fears of escalating violence.
According to accounts from Obi’s associates, suspicious movements around the secretariat prompted the leaders to depart in a convoy to the residence of Odigie-Oyegun. The house was considered a safer location following the disturbance at the rally.
However, the attackers allegedly followed the convoy to the residence. Moments after Obi’s vehicle entered the compound and the gate was shut, gunmen reportedly opened fire.
Witnesses said bullets struck the entrance gate and several vehicles parked inside the compound. Windscreens were shattered and body panels damaged as gunfire rang out.
Security personnel at the residence were said to have returned fire. The exchange reportedly forced the attackers to retreat from the scene.
No fatalities were recorded in the incident. Several individuals were reported injured, although the exact number and extent of injuries were not immediately confirmed.
Spent bullet shells were seen scattered across the ground after the shooting. Visible bullet holes marked the gate and some of the vehicles within the compound.
In a video recorded at the scene, Obi pointed to the damaged property and condemned the attack. He stated that the incident reflected what he described as a troubling decline in Nigeria’s democratic space.
Obi warned against the normalization of political violence. He insisted that such acts should not be allowed to persist ahead of future elections.
Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, described the incident as a “survived assassination attempt.” He alleged that the attackers deliberately trailed Obi’s convoy with the intention of causing harm.
Valentine Obienyem, Obi’s media aide, also confirmed the sequence of events. He said the gunmen followed the convoy from the rally and opened fire at Oyegun’s residence but emphasized that no lives were lost.
The Edo State Police Command confirmed that there was an earlier invasion of the ADC secretariat. Police authorities said officers were deployed to the area following reports of the disruption.
However, there was no immediate detailed official statement regarding the shooting at Odigie-Oyegun’s residence. As of the time of this report, no arrests had been announced in connection with the incident.
The attack has heightened concerns about political security in Edo State. It also comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Observers note that Obi remains a prominent opposition figure following his 2023 presidential bid. His recent political engagements and alliances have drawn significant public attention.
The alleged assassination attempt is likely to intensify debate over the safety of political actors and supporters. Calls for a thorough investigation and increased security have followed from members of the opposition.
Authorities have yet to provide further clarification on the identities or motives of the attackers. Investigations are expected to continue as security agencies assess the circumstances surrounding both the rally disruption and the subsequent shooting.
The incident adds to a series of politically related security concerns reported in various parts of the country. Opposition figures have repeatedly urged law enforcement agencies to ensure that political activities can proceed without intimidation or violence.
As of late Tuesday, calm had reportedly returned to the affected areas in Benin City. Security presence remained visible around key locations linked to the events.
