A coalition of civil society organisations in Edo State has dismissed claims that leaders of African Democratic Congress (ADC), including Peter Obi and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, were attacked or shot at during an incident that occurred in Benin City on Tuesday.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement titled Clarification on Tuesday’s event in Benin City, Edo State capital, the group accused political actors of spreading “tales by moonlight” to mislead the public and generate sympathy.
The coalition expressed disappointment over reports alleging that Peter Obi narrowly escaped assassination after his convoy was allegedly shot at, alongside the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. It also criticised Punch Newspapers for publishing an editorial which stated that Obi and Oyegun escaped an assassination attempt.
According to the group, a detailed investigation was conducted, including interviews with witnesses at the ADC secretariat, security operatives at Oyegun’s residence and residents in the neighbourhood.
It said, “The conclusion of our investigation was that PETER OBI was never SHOT AT in Benin City. He and CHIEF OYEGUN never escape assassination.”
The coalition explained that the ADC event attended by party leaders had already ended and all dignitaries, including journalists, had left before hoodlums reportedly arrived at the secretariat. It added that “No gunshot was fired at the ADC secretariat.”
The group further stated that when the alleged attackers arrived at Oyegun’s residence, “Chief Oyegun and Peter Obi was inside the fortified residence of Oyegun when the thugs arrived. The witnesses said stones were hurled at the vehicles parked outside Oyegun’s residence and not gunshot.”
It also questioned the assassination narrative, asking, “If Oyegun and Peter Obi were targets of assassination, why were there vehicles not affected? Oyegun and Obi have Police escorts, how many bullets did they expended to repel the attackers.”
The coalition claimed its investigation suggested that the ADC instigated the attacks to gain public sympathy.
Calling for calm, the civil society groups urged political parties to conduct their activities responsibly and avoid creating unnecessary tension in the state, stating, “We want peace in Edo State. Political parties should play by the rules and not create crisis where there are none.”
