The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested a suspect in connection with the recent attack on the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, in Benin City, Edo State.
Obi, alongside former governor of Edo State, John Oyegun, and several chieftains and members of the opposition All Democratic Congress (ADC), was attacked on February 24 by armed men who reportedly fired several gunshots shortly after a party meeting in the state capital.
Following the incident, one Udeme Monday Stephen was alleged to have posted on his X handle, @stevetom788, threatening further attacks on Obi. Security sources confirmed that the DSS has since arrested a suspect believed to be linked to the threats and the attack.
The violence was said to have occurred shortly after party leaders returned from the ADC secretariat, where they formally received a former LP governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, into the party.
Condemning the attack, Obi described the incident as unacceptable and vowed to pursue formal complaints.
“We will make a formal complaint, and I assure you that this cannot continue,” Obi told party members in Benin City.
“We have a country, and we are part of the country. We cannot have terrorism terrorising the country and have officials in government terrorising citizens. It is unacceptable,” he added.
The leadership of the ADC also reacted strongly to the development. In a statement on Tuesday, the party’s spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party would not bow to intimidation.
“Let it be clearly understood: violence and intimidation are the weapons of those who fear the will of the people. Such actions stain our democracy and must be condemned by all who believe in freedom,” Abdullahi said.
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, condemned the attack and described the incident as an internal party crisis that escalated beyond control.
In a statement, the governor sympathised with affected party members and warned against the importation of thugs under the guise of politics.
“As peace-loving people, the importation of thugs and miscreants from outside the state under the guise of party politics remains totally condemned and will not be tolerated going forward,” he stated.
Security agencies are expected to continue investigations into the attack as political stakeholders call for calm and the protection of democratic processes.
