Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has formally condemned the violent assault on members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, characterising the incident as an escalation of an internal party crisis rather than state-sponsored aggression.
The violence erupted on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, shortly after prominent opposition figure Peter Obi and former Labour Party governorship candidate Olumide Akpata attended a rally at the ADC secretariat. Armed hoodlums reportedly disrupted the event before trailing the political convoy to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence, where gunshots were fired and several vehicles were vandalised.
In a statement released via his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, Governor Okpebholo expressed sympathy for the victims but firmly dismissed allegations of government involvement. The Governor insisted that the chaos was rooted in factional fighting within the ADC, stating, "the precise motive behind this attack may not yet be fully known, but I strongly believe the ultimate objective is to discredit Edo State."
The Governor further condemned the "importation of thugs" from outside the state, asserting that his administration would not allow Edo to become a "theatre of conflict" for political rivals. He reiterated that high-profile figures should notify state authorities of their visits to ensure proper security coordination, a point that has been a source of friction between his office and Peter Obi in recent months.
The ADC leadership and Peter Obi have rejected the "internal rift" explanation, labelling the incident an attempted assassination. Speaking at the scene, Peter Obi described the attack as a "disturbing development" and an "assault on democracy", vowing to file a formal complaint with relevant authorities.
The Edo State Police Command has since reinforced security around the ADC secretariat and Odigie-Oyegun’s home. Police spokesperson Eno Ikoedem confirmed that while property was destroyed and one woman was injured in a stampede, no fatalities were recorded. The Commissioner of Police has ordered a full-scale investigation to apprehend the perpetrators.