A leading figure of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration following an attack by suspected gunmen.
The assailants, believed to be political thugs, reportedly targeted senior ADC members at the residence of former APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, in Benin City, Edo State.
The incident was said to have occurred shortly after the party officials returned from the ADC secretariat, where they had formally received Olumide Akpata into the party.
Responding to the development, Obi described the attack as an assault on democracy and pledged to report the matter to the appropriate authorities in order to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
“We will make a formal complaint, and I assure you that this cannot continue,” Obi told party supporters in Benin City.
“We have a country, and we are part of the country. We cannot have terrorism terrorizing the country and have officials in government terrorizing citizens. It is unacceptable.”
The former Anambra State governor further accused the APC-led Federal Government of undermining Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
He alleged, without presenting evidence, that the current administration is eroding democratic governance.
According to Obi, poverty levels have worsened under the APC government, necessitating urgent intervention by the ADC.
“Those who claimed yesterday to be democratic are now destroying our democracy. All of us have come together to save our democracy for tomorrow because we cannot continue in this direction.
“The APC government, as of today, has killed governance, our democracy, the legislature, and the judiciary. Similar situation with our economy.
“We have more people today living in poverty. The highest rate of growth of people living in poverty was within the past two years,” he added.
Akpata, ADC denounce incident
Olumide Akpata, a former Labour Party governorship candidate in Edo State who has since joined the ADC, also condemned the attack.
In a separate statement, the ADC described the episode as a “disturbing development”.
“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,” the party’s spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, said on Tuesday.
“The ADC will neither bow nor retreat. We will stand firm, speak without fear, and continue the peaceful struggle for a Nigeria where the opposition is not punished, and every citizen is free.”