The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), A legal practitioner, Chibueze Maduka and Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) have condemned Tuesday’s attack of the African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain Peter Obi, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and others in Edo State.
They called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the attack
The spokesperson of the PDP, Ini Ememobong also blamed Governor Monday Okpebholo alleging that he has said before that the attack will take place.
He said “the attack on Peter Obi was premeditated and the responsibility falls squarely on the laps of the Edo State Governor who had earlier promised that this will happen. It shows the irresponsibility of the APC government at all levels who are afraid of the opposition.”
Also, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) strongly condemned yesterday’s attack on the presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
CISLAC Executive Director Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani said the incident is a dangerous reminder of the persistent threat of political violence in Nigeria.
He said “Violence, intimidation, and the weaponization of thuggery have no place in a democratic society and represent a direct assault on citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of movement, association, and political participation,” it stated adding that CISLAC is deeply concerned that such acts, if left unchecked, could escalate tensions nationwide and undermine the credibility of the electoral process.”n
Another civil society group, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) also condemned the attack on Obi, and Odigie-Oyegun, by suspected thugs in Edo State on Tuesday.
The Senior Programme Manager and Head of Democratic Accountability and Elections Programme at Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Umar Mohammed Dan’Asabe, said the attack was “an affront to dissent and opposition politics,” warning that it sends a dangerous signal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said “the security of every citizen, irrespective of where they are from, is guaranteed by the Constitution. People should be safe whether they are in their states or elsewhere.”
A legal practitioner, Chibueze Maduka, said as Nigeria runs a democracy where citizens have the freedom of association as enshrined in Section 40 of the Constitution, the attack stands condemned.
He said “this incident is very jarring and it is reminiscent of the days of rampant political assassinations in Nigeria,” he said adding that the government under chapter two of the Constitution, owes the nation a duty to investigate, fish out and prosecute the perpetrators of this heinous act”.
