The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Obidient Movement have strongly condemned a violent gun attack and alleged assassination attempt targeting prominent opposition figures in Edo State, describing it as a grave threat to democratic stability.

Among those reportedly targeted were former governor John Oyegun, ADC national leader Peter Obi, and Olumide Akpata, a former Labour Party candidate who recently joined the ADC.

The party characterized the incident as part of a broader pattern of political intimidation and went as far as labeling the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) a “terrorist organization,” underscoring the seriousness of its allegations and the growing tensions between Nigeria’s ruling and opposition political blocs.

The attack reportedly occurred on February 24, 2026, in Benin City, shortly after an ADC rally. Armed assailants allegedly invaded the party’s secretariat before trailing opposition leaders to Oyegun’s private residence, where sporadic gunfire was directed at vehicles and the property.

Evidence recovered from the scene, including bullet-riddled vehicles and expended cartridges, confirmed the severity of the assault, while several individuals sustained injuries.

According to Akpata, prior intelligence warnings had alerted both him and Obi of a potential attack, prompting increased security precautions that may have prevented a more fatal outcome.

The ADC and Obidient Movement interpreted the coordinated nature of the assault as evidence of deliberate political targeting rather than an isolated incident.

Opposition leaders further linked the violence to previous controversial remarks by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who had publicly stated in July 2025 that he could not guarantee Obi’s safety if he visited the state without prior clearance.

His warning, which included the statement that Obi would be responsible for any harm that befell him, has since been widely criticized as inflammatory.

The ADC also accused the governor of making unfounded claims that the party sponsors cultism and of threatening to demolish properties belonging to opposition members.

These statements, combined with the recent violence, have fueled accusations that political rhetoric in Nigeria is increasingly translating into physical intimidation and danger for opposition figures.

In response, the ADC emphasized that Nigeria remains a democratic state where political participation and dissent are constitutional rights, warning that responsibility for any harm to its members would rest with those fostering what it described as an atmosphere of hostility and incitement.

The party announced plans to document and present its findings to international bodies, including the ECOWAS Court of Human Rights.

Meanwhile, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan condemned the attack as a dangerous escalation, stressing that democracy depends on the protection of opposition voices and peaceful political engagement.

She called for a thorough investigation and accountability, warning that Nigeria’s democratic integrity depends on resolving political disputes through lawful and peaceful means rather than violence, amid growing fears that political competition in the country is increasingly being accompanied by threats to life and democratic order.