Prosecute Obi, Oyegun’s Attackers, ADC Chieftain Tells Disu

A member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), High Chief Godson Okoye, has urged the acting inspector general of police, Tunji Disu, to apprehend and prosecute the thugs who attacked former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi; a national leader of the ADC Chief John Odige- Oyegun;  former governor of Edo State, Prof. Osaretem Osunbor, among others in Benin, Edo State on Tuesday.

Gunmen had attacked Oyegun’s residence and the ADC state secretariat in Benin while receiving former Labour party gubernatorial candidate, Olumide Akpata,  who defected to the party.

Okoye, a presidential candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP)  in  2015, described such act of  violence, thuggery and attempt to take life as a Hobbesian state of nature where life is brutish and should not be encouraged in democratic life.

Okoye, in a statement condemning the attack,  described it as a dangerous dimension by the ruling APC to intimidate and silence the growing opposition against the Tinubu  government and vowed that the opposition would stop at nothing until the APC government is defeated in 2027.

“This portends danger as the 2027 general election approaches, the government must at all times protect lives and properties as enshrined in section 22 of the Constitution. I therefore call upon the new Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu to fish out and prosecute those who perpetuated this crime and should not be sweet under the carpet.

“We are alarmed and curious about the threats issued to Mr Peter Obi by the Edo state governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo said last year  that Obi should not come to Edo State without his permission.

“The right of free movement  and freedom of association of individuals should not be infringed upon, therefore I call on the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure free participation of political activities of the opposition rather than trying to intimidate and suppress them,” he said.

Okoye, a former national secretary of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), warned that the current violence and attack targeted at the opposition leaders and its members if not checked ahead of the 2027 general election is a recipe for causing chaos and destroying Democracy, while calling on the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu to double his efforts in frontally addressing insecurity and political brigandage in the country.