By Adesakin Adefemi
The Obidient Movement has called for immediate federal intervention and an independent investigation into the coordinated attack on former presidential candidate Peter Obi, former APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and other African Democratic Congress leaders in Benin City, Edo State.
In a statement, the movement described the incident as a “premeditated, two-pronged assassination attempt” and condemned the violence. The attack involved armed assailants invading the ADC secretariat and opening fire on the convoy of party leaders.
The Obidient Movement is demanding an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the attack, free from political interference.
They are also calling for federal-level intervention by the Inspector-General of Police to ensure the perpetrators and their sponsors are identified, arrested, and prosecuted.
The movement noted that the attack follows prior threats from the Edo State Governor on July 18, 2025, that Mr Obi’s security would not be guaranteed if he visited the state without prior clearance. “Yesterday, that threat was visibly translated into bullets,” the statement read.
The Obidient Movement stated that the attack is part of a broader pattern of intimidation and violence against opposition leaders nationwide.
They criticized the initial police statement, which referred only to damaged chairs and canopies, as an attempt “to minimize the gravity of what happened”.
The movement also criticized the Edo State Government for labeling the incident “an internal party matter”, saying it was “an insult to the victims and an abdication of its constitutional duty to protect all citizens”.
The Obidient Movement reaffirmed its resolve to exercise constitutional rights, declaring, “We will not be intimidated. We will not back down”.
Peter Obi described the attack as part of his experiences of lawlessness, saying “Experiences of lawlessness are not new to me”.
The movement is calling for a public condemnation from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a directive to his party members in Edo State and political actors across the country to cease all acts of political violence and intimidation.
