An alleged assassination attempt on political leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, in Benin City, Edo State, has ignited a fierce debate between the opposition party and the state government. Dr. Kenneth Okonkwo, a lawyer and member of the ADC’s National Working Committee, vehemently described the incident as an act of “genocide against political opponents,” alleging it was orchestrated by governmental agents to dismantle opposition and establish a one-party state.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, February 24, transpired as Obi and other ADC chieftains, including former Edo State Governors John Odigie-Oyegun and Professor Osunbor, were returning from an event welcoming former Nigerian Bar Association president Olumide Akpata into the party. Okonkwo detailed how a convoy of approximately ten vehicles pursued them, firing gunshots at the initial venue before chasing them to Oyegun's residence, where the gate and several vehicles were reportedly blasted. While no fatalities were confirmed at the time of his interview, Okonkwo stated that several individuals were injured.

Dr. Okonkwo further accused the government of deliberately withdrawing security from political figures, including John Oyegun, which he claimed facilitated the attack. He linked the incident to a broader pattern of suppressing opposition, citing similar disruptions and assaults on ADC leaders in Lagos State. Okonkwo dismissed any notion of internal party rivalries being the cause, asserting that the events pointed to a premeditated plan to eliminate opposition leaders after attempts to destroy political parties failed.

In stark contrast, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo condemned the assault but firmly attributed it to an escalation of internal party conflict within the ADC. In a statement, the governor expressed sympathy for the victims while cautioning against the importation of “thugs and miscreants from outside the state under the guise of political activity.” He vowed to prevent Edo State from becoming a battleground for political rivalry and suggested the attack was intended to discredit the state’s reputation for peace.

The Edo State Government, through Governor Okpebholo’s spokesperson Patrick Ebojele, explicitly refuted allegations of government involvement, labeling them as “false, malicious and a clear misrepresentation of the facts.” Ebojele clarified a previous controversial statement by Governor Okpebholo, where he warned Peter Obi against entering Edo State without security clearance, explaining it as a “purely guided by security responsibility” as the chief security officer, rather than political hostility. The spokesperson also hinted at an alleged internal crisis within the ADC, claiming that a faction was shut out of a meeting preceding the incident.

Despite the government's stance, Dr. Okonkwo expressed deep skepticism regarding the effectiveness of official investigations in Nigeria, referring to them as the “graveyard of justice.” He called for an independent probe into the incident, warning that if the state continues to fail in its primary duty of protecting lives, citizens may be compelled to exercise their right to self-defense. Okonkwo affirmed that the ADC would not be intimidated and would continue its engagements, declaring that the “Obidient” spirit and ADC’s vision are united in a quest for a new Nigeria where violence does not dictate political outcomes.