Gunmen attack Peter Obi, Odigie-Oyegun, ADC leaders in Edo

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress John Odigie‑Oyegun, and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were reportedly attacked by suspected thugs on Tuesday in Edo State.

The disclosure was made by Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, in a statement issued in Abuja.

According to Tanko, Obi and ADC leaders came under attack in Benin City during activities marking the formal defection of Olumide Akpata to the party.

He alleged that armed individuals trailed the delegation from the ADC secretariat to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence, where gunshots were fired at the premises and several vehicles were vandalised.

Tanko described the incident as a narrowly escaped assassination attempt, warning that the development raises concerns about political violence and the safety of opposition figures.

The reported attack has heightened tensions in Edo’s political space, particularly as opposition actors continue to contest recent electoral outcomes and question the security environment for political participation.

The development also comes a day after the ADC candidate in the Abuja Municipal Area Council chairmanship election, Moses Paul, alongside the Obidient Movement, rejected the February 21 poll results.

The candidate alleged widespread irregularities, claiming the announced figures did not reflect voters’ choices.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Christopher Maikalangu of the APC winner of the election after securing 40,295 votes out of 62,861 valid ballots cast.

Paul placed second with 12,109 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party candidate received 3,398 votes.

In his reaction, Paul accused the electoral body of mismanaging the process, citing alleged voter suppression, intimidation, vote buying, and manipulation of results across several wards.