Presidential hopeful and former Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, narrowly escaped harm on Tuesday after gunmen reportedly opened fire on his convoy in Benin City, Edo State.
According to a report by This Day newspaper of Wednesday, February 25 and some eyewitness account in Benin, the incident occurred as Obi was traveling to the residence of former Edo State Governor and ex-APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun. The attackers allegedly fired sporadically at the convoy, damaging several vehicles, including shattered windshields and punctured tyres. No injuries were recorded.
A statement released by Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) confirmed the attack, describing it as a brazen assault on Obi, who was the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate and is now associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
POMR stated that the convoy came under fire as Obi and his associates approached Oyegun’s residence. The organization said it had received numerous inquiries from supporters at home and abroad regarding Obi’s safety and reassured the public that he and other ADC leaders present in Edo State were unharmed.
Following the incident, Obi reportedly addressed supporters briefly, displaying spent cartridges allegedly recovered from the scene. He expressed concern that such violence could occur near the home of a respected elder statesman.
In its statement, POMR referenced earlier tensions between Obi and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo. The group recalled remarks made in July 2025 in which the governor allegedly warned Obi against entering the state without prior notice, comments that were later denied. POMR argued that Obi, like any Nigerian citizen, has the constitutional right to move freely across the country, citing Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
The shooting reportedly followed heightened political activity in the state, including the defection of former Edo Labour Party governorship candidate Olumide Akpata to the ADC. Sources suggest that tensions had been building around the political realignment.
The Edo State Police Command confirmed that a security breach occurred. Police spokesperson ASP Eno Ikoedem stated that suspected hoodlums disrupted the gathering shortly after the event concluded. According to the police, plastic chairs and canopies were damaged, but no casualties were recorded.
She added that officers responded promptly to a distress call, forcing the suspects to flee. Security presence has since been strengthened in the area, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend those responsible.
Eyewitnesses in Benin City described a chaotic scene. According to residents near Oyegun’s residence, several vehicles carrying suspected political thugs arrived shortly after Obi and other dignitaries departed from the venue of a political meeting.
One eyewitness said the attackers moved from the direction of the party secretariat toward Oyegun’s home, where they allegedly smashed vehicle windows and scattered the gathering. Another witness reported hearing multiple gunshots before seeing people run for safety.
The Edo State Chairman of the ADC, Kenneth Odion, accused elements of the ruling party in the state of orchestrating the disruption. He claimed the attackers stormed the party secretariat and later advanced to the private residence where the meeting was taking place. The ruling party has yet to formally respond to the allegation.
Authorities say investigations remain underway as political tensions continue to rise ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
