Tension swept through Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday after supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Obidient Movement accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring armed thugs who allegedly attacked former presidential candidate Peter Obi and other opposition figures during a political engagement in the state.
The allegations surfaced following the circulation of a viral video in which an activist and ADC member, Oruche Ogeamara Precious, popularly known as Mama Pee, narrated how suspected attackers allegedly targeted locations connected to a political gathering attended by Obi and senior party officials.
In the video, which was shared widely on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the activist claimed the incident occurred shortly after a meeting held at the ADC secretariat in Benin City. According to her, the attackers were angered by the unexpectedly large turnout of supporters who gathered to welcome Obi, despite what she described as minimal publicity ahead of the visit.
“They didn’t expect the amount of crowd that they saw at the ADC secretariat,” she said in the footage. “People gathered even though we didn’t advertise that Peter Obi was coming to Benin. That offended them.”
She alleged that shortly after the event concluded and security presence around the venue reduced, suspected APC-backed thugs mobilised and stormed the area.
“The moment we left, it didn’t reach two minutes because they knew security was no longer there. They came there,” she claimed.
According to her account, the assailants later moved toward the residence of former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, located in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) of Benin City, where some opposition leaders had reportedly proceeded after the secretariat meeting.
She alleged that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and began shooting around the premises, destroying vehicles and causing panic among residents in the neighbourhood.
“They came here and started shooting around the whole house. They destroyed vehicles. Is the Nigerian police not just by the corner here? How did bikes enter the centre of Benin?” she asked in the video, pointing to what she described as bullet holes and spent cartridges at the scene.
The claims have not been independently verified, and as of press time, there was no official statement from the Edo State Police Command confirming the incident or detailing any arrests in connection with the alleged attack.
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, also raised alarm over the development, describing it as a deliberate and targeted attack on opposition figures. In a statement titled “Breaking Red Alert in Benin, Edo State,” Tanko alleged that armed individuals trailed Obi and ADC leaders from the party secretariat to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence.
According to him, the incident occurred during the formal defection of former Labour Party governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, to the African Democratic Congress. The event was said to have drawn party supporters and political stakeholders from across the state.
“PO and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State,” Tanko stated.
“At the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress, armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. They shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be a survived assassination attempt on our lives. Democracy is in danger.”
Tanko’s statement further urged security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure the safety of political actors, particularly opposition leaders.
The APC, however, had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report. The party has previously denied similar accusations of sponsoring violence against opposition figures in various parts of the country.
Political observers note that tensions have been rising in Edo State ahead of upcoming political realignments and elections, with defections and alliances reshaping the landscape. The reported defection of Olumide Akpata to the ADC is seen by analysts as a significant development that could alter political dynamics in the state.
Residents in parts of Benin City reportedly expressed concern over the alleged shooting, with some calling for increased security presence in the GRA and other strategic areas.
As investigations are awaited, the incident has reignited debates about political intolerance, the safety of opposition actors, and the role of security agencies in safeguarding democratic activities.
Whether the allegations will be substantiated through official inquiry remains to be seen. For now, the claims have added to an already charged political atmosphere in Edo State, raising fresh questions about security and democratic engagement in the lead-up to future contests.
