Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, were reportedly attacked on Tuesday in Benin, Edo State.
Some leaders of the African Democratic Congress were also said to have been targeted during the incident.
The development was made known in Abuja by Dr Yunusa Tanko, former campaign spokesman of Obi and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide.
According to him, the attack happened during political activities linked to the formal defection of Olumide Akpata to the ADC.
Tanko explained that the group had just left the ADC Secretariat when armed men allegedly trailed them to the residence of Odigie-Oyegun in Benin.
He said the attackers opened fire at the gate and damaged several vehicles parked within the compound. He added that the incident appeared to be an attempt on their lives and raised concern about the safety of political actors.
Photos and videos shared after the incident showed shattered windscreens of several sport utility vehicles and a gate marked with bullet holes. Obi and some ADC leaders were seen inspecting the damaged property.
The statement read, “Peter Obi and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State. 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.”
The reported attack took place amid growing political activities in the state.
The declaration of Akpata’s membership in the ADC had drawn attention, as political alignments continue to shift ahead of future elections.
