Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, and other ADC leaders were assassinated in Edo State, and Atiku Abubakar, the country’s former vice president, has condemned the attack.
During Olumide Akpata’s official declaration into the ADC in Benin City, Obi and other ADC officials were reportedly the targets of a deadly attack, according to Gistcon. The unprovoked attack left Obi’s motorcade littered with bullet holes.
Following the incident, Atiku issued a statement on Tuesday night in which he condemned the attack, stating that it is not acceptable in any democratic society.
There has been very provocative speech coming out of the ruling party in Edo State as of late, rhetoric that threatens to normalise violence against political opponents. Words, when turned into weapons, frequently lead to deeds. The events in Benin were not isolated.
Physically assaulting anyone who speak out against the government is only the latest example of the dangerous trend that Nigeria is currently seeing. From official repression to outright hostility, the ruling APC seems to have taken its intolerance to a new level.
Patriotic and nondiscriminatory protection of life and property is a constitutionally mandated duty of Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security chiefs. Rather than being a favour, protecting opposition figures and their followers is a fundamental democratic duty. Nigeria must not become a stage upon which bloodshed settles political disputes.”