Gunmen Attack ADC Rally in Benin, Obi, Oyegun Escape Unhurt
Gunmen on Tuesday attacked a rally of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Benin City, Edo State, with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and a chieftain of the party, John Oyegun, escaping unhurt.
The incident occurred during a rally organised to formally receive former Edo State governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, into the ADC. Mr Akpata had defected from the Labour Party to the ADC.
According to sources, the attackers stormed the ADC secretariat located on Ogbelaka Street, off Sapele Road, where the rally was taking place, before allegedly trailing Mr Obi, Mr Oyegun and members of the Obidient Movement to Mr Oyegun’s residence.
Witnesses said the gunmen opened fire on vehicles in the convoy as it arrived at Mr Oyegun’s residence, damaging the gate and several cars. No deaths were reported, though some persons reportedly sustained injuries.
Valentine Obienyem, a media aide to Mr Obi, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday. He said the politicians observed suspicious movements by individuals in Sienna vehicles while at the secretariat and decided to leave the venue.
He explained that the vehicles followed Mr Obi’s convoy to Mr Oyegun’s residence and began shooting shortly after the gate was shut.
He added that the security personnel attached to the convoy returned fire, forcing the attackers to flee. He said multiple vehicles were hit by bullets and the attackers attempted to force their way into the residence.
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, also confirmed the attack, describing it as an apparent assassination attempt and warning that democracy was under threat.
The Edo State Police Command confirmed that hoodlums invaded the ADC secretariat at about 2:55 p.m., disrupted activities and chased guests away.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Eno Ikoedem, said patrol teams responded promptly to a distress call, causing the suspects to flee.
She said plastic chairs and canopies were damaged during the invasion of the secretariat but reported no casualties. Security personnel have since been deployed to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The police statement, however, did not address the reported shooting at Mr Oyegun’s residence or the alleged attack on Mr Obi’s convoy.
Mr Obi, in a video circulated on social media, confirmed that gunmen fired shots at him and others while they were entering Mr Oyegun’s residence. He pointed to bullet marks on the gate and displayed vehicles damaged by gunfire.
He described the attack as unacceptable and argued that citizens should not be subjected to violence in a democratic society.
The development comes months after Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo had publicly warned Mr Obi against visiting the state without notifying him or obtaining security clearance.
Governor Okpebholo, speaking at a rally in July 2025, had alleged that Mr Obi’s earlier visit to a nursing school in the state contributed to unrest that led to fatalities. He insisted that Mr Obi’s security could not be guaranteed without prior notification.
Tuesday’s attack has heightened political tension in the state amid ongoing party realignments ahead of future elections.
