African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship aspirant in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, on Wednesday revealed that he and former presidential candidate Peter Obi narrowly escaped an attack during a political gathering in Benin City.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Akpata said both men received separate intelligence warnings that the venue of the event at the ADC Secretariat on Ogbelaka Street was about to be attacked.
“I was in harm’s way, there’s no doubt. Thankfully, due to the efforts of some of the security personnel who were there, what could have been a very dastardly event was averted,” he explained.
The event, which brought Labour Party members formally into the ADC, was attended by prominent figures including Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former governor Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, and Senator Roland Owie.
Akpata said the programme was hurriedly concluded after the warning, and leaders relocated to Oyegun’s residence to address the press. Shortly after they left, armed men reportedly stormed the secretariat, attacking attendees.
“As soon as we left, some guys actually showed up and attacked the venue, attacked people,” he recounted.
He disclosed that his cousin narrowly escaped being hit by a bullet, while another relative was injured by a smashed bottle. The event’s disc jockey was beaten, and his equipment destroyed.
“Anybody with the ADC cap, quite a number of them were attacked,” Akpata said.
Later, gunmen allegedly fired shots near Oyegun’s residence in the Government Reservation Area, forcing Obi, Akpata, and others to take cover inside.
“We heard serious gunshots… The security personnel pushed us back into Chief Oyegun’s sitting room because the gunshots were so close,” he said, describing it as a drive-by shooting.
Cars parked outside were damaged, but Akpata confirmed that no lives were lost, though several people sustained injuries. Obi later departed for the airport to catch a scheduled flight.
 governorship aspirant in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, on Wednesday revealed){kind=link}