By joshua 
Gunmen Storm ADC Secretariat In Benin, Oyegun Calls For End To Rising Political Violence
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
The national leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Odigie Oyegun, has strongly condemned the violent attack on the party’s Edo State Secretariat in Benin City, describing it as a dangerous signal for Nigeria’s democratic space.
Gunmen reportedly stormed the secretariat shortly after a political meeting held to receive new members, including supporters of Olumide Akpata, who recently declared his political alignment ahead of the 2023 elections. The attackers allegedly fired gunshots and disrupted proceedings, forcing attendees to flee.
Speaking to journalists at his residence in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Benin City, Oyegun said the party had received prior intelligence indicating a possible attack.
We were holding a normal meeting when we got security information that the secretariat might be attacked. Shortly after, gunmen stormed the premises. This is not the kind of politics Nigeria should be practicing,” he said.
Oyegun warned that political intimidation and violence pose serious threats to democratic consolidation and called on leaders at the national level to take decisive action to prevent further escalation.
The ADC South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mabel Oboh, also condemned the incident in a statement made available to journalists in Benin. She disclosed that key party leaders, including Peter Obi, Oyegun, ADC National Chief Whip Festus Igbinoba, and National Legal Adviser Oserheimen Osunbor, had departed the venue shortly before the attack occurred.
Oboh described the incident as the second violent assault on the Edo State Secretariat, raising concerns over what she termed a pattern of targeted aggression against the party in the state.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, dismissed allegations of external involvement, attributing the incident to internal disagreements within the ADC.
“Did the attackers wear APC uniforms? What is happening in ADC is a factional fight. You saw Owie fighting Oyegun. They should not drag us into their fight,” Tenebe said.
Reacting to the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident in an official statement.
According to the police, the gathering took place at about 2:55 p.m. on Ogbelaka Street, off Sapele Road, Benin City, to welcome defectors from the Labour Party. Shortly after the event concluded, suspected hoodlums reportedly disrupted the premises and chased attendees away.
“Police personnel responded promptly to a distress call, forcing the suspects to flee. While some plastic chairs and canopies were damaged, no casualties were recorded.
“Security has since been reinforced around the premises, and normalcy has been fully restored. The situation remains under control while investigations are ongoing to arrest the perpetrators,” the statement said”.