Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the alleged violent attack on opposition leaders in Benin City, Edo State, describing the incident as “utterly condemnable and unacceptable in any democracy.”
In a statement posted on his verified X account on Tuesday, Atiku reacted to reports of an attack targeting former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, alongside prominent political figures including John Odigie-Oyegun, Oserheimen Osunbor, and Olumide Akpata during a political gathering in the state capital.
“The violent attack on Peter Obi, Chief John Oyegun, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, Olumide Akpata, and other Coalition ADC leaders in Benin, Edo State, is utterly condemnable and unacceptable in any democracy,” Atiku wrote.
He noted that recent political rhetoric from elements within the ruling party in Edo State had contributed to a climate of hostility against opposition figures.
“In recent times, we have witnessed reckless and inflammatory rhetoric from elements within the ruling party in Edo State, rhetoric that dangerously legitimises violence against political opponents. Words, when weaponised, often precede actions. What happened in Benin did not occur in a vacuum,” he stated.
The former vice president further warned that Nigeria was entering what he described as a dangerous phase where opposition voices were increasingly under threat.
“Nigeria is entering a perilous phase in which opposition voices are not only harassed through state institutions but are now being physically targeted. The ruling APC appears to have escalated its intolerance from bureaucratic suppression to open aggression,” he added.
Atiku also called on President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to ensure the protection of all political actors regardless of affiliation.
“@officialABAT and the nation’s security chiefs bear a constitutional responsibility to guarantee the protection of lives and property without discrimination or partisanship. The safety of opposition leaders and supporters is not a favour; it is a democratic obligation,” he said.
“Nigeria must not descend into a theatre where politics is settled by violence,” the statement added.
The condemnation follows earlier reports of tension in Benin City after supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Obidient Movement accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring armed thugs who allegedly attacked opposition leaders shortly after a political meeting attended by Obi and other coalition figures.
A viral video seen by SaharaReporters showed an ADC member alleging that suspected attackers mobilised shortly after the gathering ended, reportedly angered by the large turnout at the ADC secretariat despite minimal publicity.
According to the witness, the assailants allegedly moved toward Odigie-Oyegun’s residence in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), arriving on motorcycles and opening fire around the premises, destroying vehicles and causing panic among residents.
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, had earlier described the incident as a targeted attack, alleging that armed individuals trailed opposition leaders from the ADC secretariat to the residence during the formal defection event involving Akpata.
As of the time of filing this report, the All Progressives Congress had not issued an official response to the allegations, while the Edo State Police Command had yet to confirm or deny the reported attack.
The incident has further heightened political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures warning of rising intimidation and violence against rival political actors.