A political gathering in Benin City, Edo State, turned violent on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, when armed men attacked a rally attended by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the official defection of prominent lawyer and activist Olumide Akpata to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The incident occurred as supporters, party leaders, and dignitaries were leaving the ADC secretariat in Benin City and heading to the residence of former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, for what was intended as a post-event reception. Eyewitnesses and participants reported that gunmen in a vehicle trailed the convoy and opened fire at the gate of Odigie-Oyegun’s residence, shattering windows, damaging several cars, and sending people fleeing in panic.
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, who was present at the event, issued an urgent alert shortly after the shooting. In a statement titled “Breaking Red Alert in Benin, Edo State,” Tanko described the attack as a “survived assassination attempt” on Peter Obi, ADC leaders, and other attendees.
“PO and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State,” Tanko wrote. “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 defection of Olumide Akpata—a former governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Edo State’s 2024 election and founder of the #FixPolitics initiative—was seen as a significant political boost for the ADC in the South-South region. Akpata’s move was expected to strengthen the party’s grassroots structure and appeal to younger voters disillusioned with the ruling APC and opposition PDP ahead of future local and national elections.
Participants reported chaotic scenes of smoke, shattered glass, and people running for cover as gunshots echoed through the upscale neighborhood. Several vehicles in the convoy sustained bullet damage, though no confirmed casualties have been reported as of Tuesday evening. Sources close to the event said security details assigned to Peter Obi and other high-profile attendees quickly moved to shield principals and evacuate them from the scene.
As of the time of this report, the Edo State Police Command had not issued an official statement confirming the incident, detailing any arrests, or providing an update on injuries or fatalities. Efforts to reach the state police spokesperson were unsuccessful. Local residents in the area described hearing sustained gunfire and seeing people fleeing on foot, with some taking refuge in nearby homes and compounds.
The attack has drawn sharp condemnation from civil society groups, youth organizations, and political commentators, who described it as a dangerous escalation of political violence in Edo State and a direct threat to democratic participation. Peter Obi, who has maintained a high national profile since his 2023 presidential campaign, has increasingly used public appearances to advocate for good governance, youth empowerment, and electoral reform—activities that have sometimes drawn hostility from rival political interests.
The incident underscores the fragile security environment surrounding political events in parts of Nigeria, particularly in states with competitive electoral histories. Edo State has witnessed recurrent violence during political gatherings, defections, and campaign periods in recent years.
Further developments are awaited, including any formal police investigation, statements from the ADC national leadership, and reactions from Peter Obi himself. The Obidient Movement has called on security agencies to ensure the safety of its members and to bring the perpetrators to justice without delay.
