Peter Obi Escapes Alleged Assassination Attempt in Benin as Gunmen Attack ADC Leaders in Edo
Tension gripped Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, after former Labour Party presidential candidate and leading opposition figure Peter Obi narrowly escaped what aides and supporters described as an assassination attempt during a high-profile political engagement.
The incident occurred shortly after Obi and key leaders of the African Democratic Congress were present at the formal defection of former Edo Labour Party governorship candidate Olumide Akpata to the ADC at the party secretariat on Ogbelaka Street, off Sokponba Road. Among those in attendance was former APC National Chairman and Edo elder statesman, John Odigie-Oyegun.
Multiple credible media accounts reviewed by PulseNets reported that armed men, widely described as suspected political thugs, disrupted the gathering, vandalizing canopies and chairs and forcing party members and supporters to flee the venue in panic.
PulseNets learned that the attackers allegedly trailed the convoy of Obi, Oyegun, and other ADC chieftains to Oyegun’s residence on Reservation Road, where gunshots were fired at the gate. Vehicles within the premises were reportedly riddled with bullets, sustaining visible damage. Some party loyalists were said to have sustained injuries, though no fatalities were confirmed as of press time.
Obi was not harmed in the incident and was later confirmed safe by close associates.
Raising alarm during the unfolding chaos, Obidient Movement National Coordinator Yunusa Tanko told PulseNets and other media platforms in real time:
“Peter Obi and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State. 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.”
In a follow-up statement issued on February 25, 2026, Obi expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their prayers and solidarity. He described the incident as reflective of growing lawlessness and reiterated his commitment to building a secure and just Nigeria. The former Anambra governor also urged citizens to prioritize competence and character in the 2027 general elections.
Political Reactions and Counterclaims
The African Democratic Congress condemned the attack, describing it as a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy and opposition politics. Party spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, in remarks obtained by PulseNets, insisted the ADC would not be intimidated by acts of violence.
ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo reportedly alleged that the attack amounted to an “attempted assassination by the government or their agents,” linking the development to prior warnings attributed to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who in 2025 was said to have remarked that Obi’s security in the state could not be guaranteed without official clearance.
However, the Edo State Government rejected allegations of external orchestration. Commissioner for Information Kassim Afegbua told PulseNets that the violence stemmed from internal disagreements within the ADC, citing factional tensions over party meetings and access control. He argued that bottled-up grievances among members may have escalated into the confrontation witnessed in Benin.
Heightened Political Climate Ahead of 2027
The attack comes amid intensifying opposition realignments and coalition discussions ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Obi’s name frequently mentioned alongside other opposition figures in ongoing strategic talks.
Observers note that the political climate in Edo State has grown increasingly tense under the APC-led administration, particularly as opposition parties seek to consolidate grassroots structures.
Also Read: Peter Obi Cannot Defeat Tinubu Even in Free and Fair Election — GehGeh
As of the time of filing this report, no arrests had been officially announced. Security agencies are said to be investigating the incident, though no definitive findings regarding the identity, sponsors, or motives of the attackers have been made public.
Peter Obi has previously faced threats in the course of his political career. However, political analysts describe the Benin incident as one of the most high-profile and direct security breaches linked to him in recent times.
