Ohanaeze Flays Attack On Peter Obi, Odigie-Oyegun In Edo

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the recent violent attack on a former presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi and a former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun in Benin City, Edo State.

In a statement made available to newsmen by the national publicity secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, the Igbo apex body called on relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough, transparent and expeditious investigation into the dastardly act and ensure that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice.

“The incident, which reportedly occurred after a political engagement involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and during which hoodlums unleashed violence and gunfire is deeply disturbing and utterly reprehensible. The fact that prominent political leaders could be subjected to such danger in the course of lawful democratic activities is a grave threat to our national cohesion and democratic order,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata, described the attack as “unprovoked and completely unacceptable in a civilised democracy. Such acts of political violence are a direct assault on the rule of law and a dangerous signal capable of undermining public confidence in our democratic process.”

The organisation further urged the authorities to guarantee adequate protection for all political actors irrespective of party affiliations across the nation. “The safety of political leaders and citizens alike is fundamental to the health, stability and credibility of Nigeria’s democracy.”