In a shocking escalation of political violence, former presidential candidate Peter Obi and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Benin City, Edo State, on February 24, 2026.
Gunmen reportedly trailed Obi, former APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, and ADC National Chairman Olumide Akpata from the party’s secretariat to Chief Odigie-Oyegun’s private residence, culminating in a violent attack that the ADC has officially condemned as an attempted assassination.
Reacting to the incident, former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar described the attack as “utterly condemnable and unacceptable in any democracy.”
Atiku further stressed the dangers of inflammatory political rhetoric, saying:
> “In recent times, we have witnessed reckless and inflammatory rhetoric from elements within the ruling party in Edo State, rhetoric that dangerously legitimises violence against political opponents. Words, when weaponised, often precede actions. What happened in Benin did not occur in a vacuum.”
He also raised concerns over the state of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that opposition voices are increasingly being targeted:
> “Nigeria is entering a perilous phase in which opposition voices are not only harassed through state institutions but are now being physically targeted. The ruling APC appears to have escalated its intolerance from bureaucratic suppression to open aggression.”
Calling on security agencies to uphold their constitutional duties, Atiku added:
> “@officialABAT and the nation’s security chiefs bear a constitutional responsibility to guarantee the protection of lives and property without discrimination or partisanship. The safety of opposition leaders and supporters is not a favour; it is a democratic obligation. Nigeria must not descend into a theatre where politics is settled by violence.”
The ADC has appealed to the Nigerian authorities to investigate the attack thoroughly and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice, emphasizing the need to safeguard political pluralism and democratic principles in Edo State.