News reports have it that Mr. Barrister Akpata, who was the Labour Party governorship candidate of Edo State, wanted to declare for the ADC (African Democratic Congress), which is today one of the main opposition parties in Nigeria. Armed thugs went to the venue and terrorized people there. They subsequently chased the leadership of the ADC to the residence of Dr. John Oyegun, former APC National Chairman and former Governor of Edo State. Professor Osunbor, also a former governor of Edo State, was present. His Excellency Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, was also present.
They shot at the vehicles parked in the compound and shot at the gates. Expended cartridges were shown. There is a saying in Urhoboland: “Somebody clearing his farmland, if he goes forward to defecate in the farmland he is clearing, he will eventually clear and meet his excrement in future.”
What has happened in Edo State will repeat itself, mark my words. And by that time, the present governor will not be in office. There is no proof linking him directly with what has happened, but he has boasted before now that he is the chief security officer of the state, the sheriff in town, the new sheriff in town, and that if Peter Obi comes to Edo State without informing him, if anything happens to him, Peter Obi should take what he sees.
There are simple questions to raise here:
Number one: There is no person that owns a state, even if you are the chief security officer. A state is not your private residence. It is a subnational unit of Nigeria where citizens have freedom of movement and association. People should stop saying Obi should have informed him. No. It is not his private property. It is just protocol or decency among comrades and friends. The duty of the governor and security agencies is to provide security for all citizens—whether they are visiting, passing through, or residing there.
Secondly, power is temporary. Where is Obaseki was the former governor before Monday Okpebholo? He is scared of entering Edo state either because of what has happened to his relative or because of threats that are issued online.
Where is Osunbor today? He was governor. Where is Oyegun today? He was governor and national chairman. Yet people shot at them.
This was not necessarily an assassination attempt, but it was an attempt to terrorise. But terror can easily lead to tragedy if care is not taken. Previous threats and utterances can embolden hoodlums and misguided young men to behave irresponsibly.
This also exposes the insecurity in Edo State, particularly in Benin City—kidnappings, threats, and violence.
To the young men being used:
The people who armed you, their children are overseas. You will remain here.
After shooting, did fuel become cheaper for you? Did electricity improve in your house? If you fall sick, can you afford treatment overseas like those you shot at? Which schools do your children attend?
After shooting, you still drive on bad roads.
Electricity is still irregular.
Your condition has not improved.
You are destroying your own future for politicians whose lives remain comfortable.
The most important question is: how will 2027 look in Nigeria if this continues?
Assuming harm had befallen Peter Obi, Osunbor, or Oyegun, the consequences could have been devastating. Retaliatory attacks could have spread across Edo State and beyond.
The First World War started in Sarajevo because of a single shooting. History teaches us that small violent acts can trigger massive consequences. We must call on elders to speak out.
We must stop militarizing politics.
We must stop recruiting misguided young men to carry guns instead of using ballots.
Use ballot paper, not bullets. You cannot coerce people to vote for you. Violence destroys trust. Violence destroys legitimacy. Violence destroys the future.
May God help Nigeria.
May sanity prevail.
