The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has condemned the alleged attack on former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, ex-APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State.
IPAC National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, gave the reaction in a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja.
He described the incident as a dangerous escalation of political intolerance.
Martins said: “The Inter-Party Advisory Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and reprehensible attack on former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, former APC National Chairman and former Governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun and other leaders of the ADC following a political ceremony to formally welcome Olumide Apata into the party in Edo State.
“The reported assault on the ADC secretariat as well as the attack on the residence of Chief Odigie-Oyegun by suspected thugs, represents one of the gravest manifestations of political intolerance in recent times.
“Such acts are not only criminal but constitute a direct assault on Nigeria’s democratic order.
“Political contestation must never descend into violence.
“The use of thuggery, intimidation and brute force to silence opposition voices is dangerous, unacceptable and capable of derailing our hard-earned democracy if not urgently and decisively addressed.
“Democracy thrives on healthy competition of ideas, not the barrel of a gun.”
IPAC called on President Bola Tinubu and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to intervene and ensure accountability.
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Martins said: “IPAC calls on President Bola Tinubu to rise above partisan considerations and unequivocally condemn this dastardly act.
“We further urge him to deploy the full machinery of the Federal Government to ensure that all those responsible for this coordinated violence are tracked, arrested and prosecuted without delay.
“We equally call on the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, to demonstrate statesmanship by rising above party lines and ensuring that justice is served.
“IPAC warns that a culture of violence and intolerance against opposition parties poses a serious threat to national stability.
“If left unchecked, it could create a dangerous precedent where political disagreements are settled through force rather than through democratic processes.”
IPAC’s reaction followed reports that Obi, Odigie-Oyegun and other ADC chieftains were allegedly attacked by suspected thugs in Benin during activities surrounding the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the party.
Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr Yunusa Tanko, had earlier raised the alarm.
Photos and videos he circulated showed several SUVs with smashed windshields, while the gate to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence was riddled with bullets.
The Edo State Government, however, dismissed the claims as false and malicious.
In a statement issued Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, the government said: “The Edo State Government has noted with concern the allegation by former Anambra State governor and Labour Party figure, Peter Obi, claiming that members of his political camp were attacked by government officials in Edo State.”
The government described the ADC’s account as a misrepresentation of the facts.
The development has heightened concerns over rising political tensions in Edo State.
