A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo has claimed that the Edo State government or its operatives were responsible for the assassination attempt on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
This was as the ADC decried the assassination attempt on Peter Obi and other party leaders in Benin City, linking the incident to a threat earlier handed to Peter Obi by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the attackers allegedly trailed Obi and members of the ADC from the party’s secretariat to the residence of a party leader, John Odigie-Oyegun, before opening fire.
“Today’s attack on Mr. Peter Obi and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress is a grave and disturbing development, especially in light of the threats issued last year by the Governor of Edo State, warning Mr. Obi not to come to Edo State,” the statement said.
Top Society recalls that the Edo State Governor had last July warned Obi not to enter the state without notifying him or obtaining security clearance. “There’s a new sheriff in town. He cannot just come into Edo without informing me. His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking,” he had said.
ADC has now come out to say that: “We didn’t know at the time that the Governor’s threat would include an assassination plot.”
The ADC described the incident as a stain on Nigeria’s democracy, asserting that it would not be deterred by the attack.
“Let it be clearly understood: violence and intimidation are the weapons of those who fear the will of the people. Such actions stain our democracy and must be condemned by all who believe in freedom,” Abdullahi’s statement read.
On his part, Okonkwo, who reacted on Tuesday during an appearance with Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’, said, “the attack on Peter Obi in Edo State was an attempted assassination by the government or their agents.
“I was in touch with the former Edo State Governor, John Odigie Oyegun, who detailed the alleged assassination attempt.
“This incident is attributed to either government entities or their agents. Recall a previous threat issued by the current Edo State Governor, who warned Peter Obi against entering the state without his clearance, stating his security would not be guaranteed.
“This past threat was discussed on air as a danger to opposition leaders. The recent events transpired as individuals gathered to welcome Olumide Akpata, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), an organisation now seemingly under attack.
“The welcoming party encountered a convoy of ten vehicles, led by a pilot vehicle,” Okonkwo said.
