Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has reacted after escaping what supporters described as an assassination attempt during an attack by gunmen in Edo State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday at the residence of former All Progressives Congress National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, where unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire, damaging the estate gate and several vehicles within the premises.
Obi addressed the incident in a video circulating online shortly after the attack, expressing concern over the state of security and democratic governance in the country.
“This is where our democracy has reached. A former governor, and you can see what happened in front of his house, where hoodlums came shooting,” he said.
He further warned against rising insecurity, stating that violence and intimidation should have no place in a democratic society.
“I assure you this cannot continue; we have a country, and we are a part of it. We cannot have terrorism and have officials in government terrorising the citizens,” Obi added.
Reports indicate that the attack occurred shortly after Obi, Odigie-Oyegun and other political figures attended the formal declaration of Barrister Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress in Benin City.
Video footage from the scene showed visible bullet holes on the estate gate and damaged vehicles, suggesting the intensity of the gunfire.
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, alleged that the attackers trailed the political leaders from the party secretariat to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence before opening fire. He described the incident as a failed assassination attempt targeting members of the delegation.
Security authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the attack as investigations continue.