Gunmen Attack Peter Obi’s Convoy in Benin After Akpata’s ADC Defection

Peter Obi has reportedly come under attack in Benin City, the capital of Edo State.

Obi, a presidential aspirant of ADC, confirmed the incident in a video currently circulating widely across social media platforms.

Speaking to journalists, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, disclosed that Obi, alongside John Odigie-Oyegun and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress, had travelled to Edo State to witness the formal defection of former Nigerian Bar Association president, Olumide Akpata, into the party.

Tanko alleged that the party leadership came under attack during the visit.

According to him, armed individuals trailed the delegation from the ADC secretariat to the residence of Odigie-Oyegun shortly after Akpata’s declaration event.

He further claimed that the attackers opened fire at the gate of the residence and vandalised multiple vehicles in what he described as an apparent failed assassination attempt targeting members of the delegation.

Olumide Akpata was the governorship candidate of the Labour Party Nigeria in the 2024 Edo State election, which was ultimately won by Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress.

Sources indicated that several vehicles were damaged during the attack. Further details were provided by Obi’s media aide, Valentine Obienyem, in a statement issued to TheNiche.

According to Obienyem, Peter Obi had visited the secretariat of the African Democratic Congress, where he met with former Edo State governors John Odigie-Oyegun and Oserheimen Osunbor, alongside other party leaders, to formally receive Akpata into the ADC.

He explained that during the visit, the delegation observed suspicious movements involving individuals travelling in Siena buses. Obi later departed the secretariat for Oyegun’s residence, with the vehicles discreetly trailing his convoy without immediately raising alarm.

Obienyem said that shortly after Obi’s vehicle entered the residence and the gate was secured, the Siena buses arrived and opened fire on the convoy. While Obi’s car had already moved inside the premises, security vehicles and backup personnel were still positioned outside at the time the shooting began.

The attackers reportedly fired at multiple vehicles and attempted to force entry into Oyegun’s residence, repeatedly shooting at the gates until security operatives responded with gunfire, compelling the assailants to retreat.

Although no fatalities were recorded, the statement noted that several individuals sustained injuries of varying severity during the incident.