Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Benin City, Nigeria – Former 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and veteran politician John Odigie-Oyegun reportedly survived an assassination attempt on Tuesday during a political event in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, raising serious concerns about political violence ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
The incident unfolded following a high-profile gathering linked to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the ancient city. Participants had convened for what organisers described as the official declaration of a major political figure into the party, an event that drew supporters and party leaders from across the region.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage circulating online show a convoy of vehicles leaving the ADC secretariat when gunmen allegedly opened fire, following the group to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. Several vehicles were reportedly struck by bullets and the gate of the estate was left riddled with bullet holes.
In statements shared shortly after the attack, leadership within the Obidient Movement — a political support network aligned with Obi — described the incident as a “suspected failed assassination attempt”. The group’s national coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, said armed individuals trailed the convoy and fired shots at close range.
“This was not mere political intimidation — it was an assault on lives and democratic engagement,” Tanko said in remarks posted on social media, warning that “democracy is in danger.” He condemned the attack as a direct threat to opposition political actors exercising their constitutional rights.
Contrary to some online speculation and earlier unverified posts, the assault appears to have occurred not at Odigie-Oyegun’s residence prior to the meeting itself, but rather as the delegation was en route from the ADC secretariat after the event.
Despite sustained gunfire and sufficient proximity for vehicles to sustain damage, Peter Obi and Chief Odigie-Oyegun were reported uninjured and able to take refuge immediately following the attack. Statements released by Obi’s media aides later confirmed that both political figures remained safe.
At the time of reporting, neither the Edo State Police Command nor federal security agencies had issued an official statement on the alleged incident. No suspects had been publicly identified or apprehended, and it remained unclear whether any formal investigation had been launched.
The timing of the incident — occurring amid a formal political gathering and as Nigeria approaches a presidential election year — has amplified concerns over the security environment for opposition figures, particularly in the volatile political landscape of southern Nigeria. Analysts note that politically motivated violence has been a periodic feature of the national discourse, especially in periods leading up to general elections.
Opposition parties and civil society advocates have condemned the attack and called on law enforcement authorities to carry out a swift, transparent investigation. Some observers contend that the failure to protect political actors could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Meanwhile, within the ADC itself, other voices have sought to temper reactions. Officials from the ADC South-South zone publicly stated that the leadership meeting at Odigie-Oyegun’s residence was conducted peacefully and without disruption inside the venue, acknowledging only a “brief gate incident” that did not affect the substance of the party’s internal deliberations. They described attempts to portray the meeting as chaotic as speculative and politically motivated.
The state government and security authorities had not, by this writing, responded formally to either confirm or refute claims of an assassination attempt. Residents expressed alarm at the sound of gunshots and described scenes of panic as bystanders sought safety.
This episode adds to a broader pattern of political tension in Nigeria’s electoral landscape, where opposition rallies, party congresses, and public declarations have increasingly attracted heightened security risks. As major political figures prepare for the next election cycle, the incident in Benin City is likely to intensify debates over the safeguarding of political rights and the rule of law.
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