• IPAC demands arrest, prosecution of culprits

• PDP raises alarm

•  No political grievance justifies violence — Okpebholo

Widespread condemnation, yesterday, trailed the gun attack on Edo State secretariat of African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the residence of the party’s national leader and former Edo State governor, John Odigie-Oyegun, during which former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and other party leaders narrowly escaped harm.

The attack, which occurred after a political event in Benin City, has drawn outrage from political parties, civil society groups and stakeholders, who warned that such violence pose grave danger to Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While condemning the incident, Governor Monday Okpebholo denied any involvement and described the development as an internal crisis within the ADC taken too far.

This was as ADC threatened to drag the All Progressives Congress, APC, before the ECOWAS Court of Justice over what it described as a gun attack and assassination attempt on its leaders in Edo State, warning that the development points to a troubling slide for Nigeria’s democracy.

In Abuja, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, described the attack as a “brazen and reprehensible assault” on democracy.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Egbeola Martins, IPAC called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

“We unequivocally condemn the brazen and reprehensible attack on former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and former Governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun and other leaders of the ADC.

“The reported assault on the ADC secretariat as well as the attack on the residence of Chief Odigie-Oyegun by suspected thugs represents one of the gravest manifestations of political intolerance in recent times. Such acts are not only criminal but constitute a direct assault on Nigeria’s democratic order.

“The use of thuggery, intimidation and brute force to silence opposition voices is dangerous, unacceptable and capable of derailing our hard-earned democracy if not urgently addressed. Democracy thrives on healthy competition of ideas, not the barrel of a gun,” IPAC said.

The council urged President Bola Tinubu to “rise above partisan considerations” and ensure that all perpetrators were tracked, arrested and prosecuted without delay.

Governor Okpebholo, in a personally signed statement, condemned the incident and expressed sympathy with affected ADC members.

He said: “As peace-loving people, the importation of thugs and miscreants from outside the state under the guise of party politics remains totally condemned and will not be tolerated going forward.

“As Chief Security Officer of the state, I will not stand by and allow Edo to be turned into a theatre of conflict in the name of political rivalry.”

“Even though the precise motive behind this attack may not yet be fully known, I strongly believe that the ultimate objective is to discredit Edo State and undermine its reputation as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.’’

The governor further declared that no amount of political blackmail will sway the people of Edo from supporting a government they hold dear.

He emphasised that politics should centre on performance, engagement with the people and the continuous effort to earn their trust and confidence, saying “this is what we are known for, and we will remain committed to that path.”

He argued that when politicians or individuals allegedly orchestrate violence to gain political advantage, it reflected a lack of meaningful value to offer the electorate, adding that as a leading political force in the state, his party welcomes healthy opposition and will not be intimidated by what he described as blackmail or self-inflicted attacks.

While sympathising with members of the ADC and condemning the incident, the governor advised the party to refrain from directing accusations outside its fold, suggesting that the matter appeared to stem from internal disagreements.

However, Edo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, alleged that recent public accusations linking the ADC to cultism could have inflamed tensions.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, the party said: “The sequence is deeply concerning. First, inflammatory accusations. Then threats of demolition. Now reported armed intimidation. This trajectory must be halted immediately.

“No governor in a constitutional democracy possesses the power to criminalise political opposition by proclamation.”

The PDP urged security agencies to remain professional and loyal to the Constitution, rather than “transient political office holders.”

“Edo people deserve leadership that inspires confidence, not anxiety. A government secure in its mandate does not fear opposition,” the party stated.