Edo Government explanation for alleged assassination attempt on Peter Obi
The Edo State Government has responded to claims of an alleged assassination attempt on former presidential candidate Peter Obi and other political figures in Benin City, offering its own explanation for what happened. The state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Kassim Afegbua, rejected the idea that government officials orchestrated a targeted attack. Instead, he suggested that internal disputes within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may have played a role in triggering the violence, saying tensions among party members spilled over after some were prevented from attending a meeting and that this may have “orchestrated the attack.” He described the incident as stemming from party conflict rather than a planned effort by the government to harm Obi or supporters. The Edo Government denied issuing any directive to target political opponents and labeled claims of official involvement as politically motivated and unfounded, emphasising that its focus remains on governance and public safety without infringing on the rights of political actors. Officials also pointed to prior disputes among ADC factions and a contested meeting as possible causes of the unrest, warning that misinformation could inflame already high political tensions. Critics and observers, including opposition voices, have strongly disagreed with the state’s account, with some describing the events as intimidation and a failure of authorities to provide adequate protection during a high–profile political gathering, raising questions about security arrangements and the role of government in the violent episode.
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