There is palpable tension in Edo State after suspected thugs allegedly attacked supporters and leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during political engagements in Igueben Local Government Area.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening as the ADC campaign train moved through the local government area.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that a party chieftain and former governorship aspirant, Kenneth Imasuangbon, the party’s Edo Central senatorial candidate, Herbert Okonofua, and other party leaders reportedly coming under gunfire.
The ADC alleged that an armed group attacked the entourage during its political activities in the area, with one of its supporters, identified as Jerry Oliha from Ward 6, reportedly sustaining gunshot wounds.
The party claimed that the attackers were suspected political loyalists of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and alleged that they were led by the Chairman of Igueben Local Government Area, Endurance Azemegbe.
According to the ADC, Oliha was shot at the premises of the Enogie of Igueben and was subsequently rushed to Irrua Specialist Hospital, where he was receiving medical attention.
The party also alleged that the incident was the third time the entourage had come under attack in the local government area on the same day, following alleged shootings in Ward 4 and Ward 5.
The ADC State Publicity Secretary, Chris Ojeikere, condemned the incident and accused the APC of allowing political violence to grow in the state.
“The Igueben Local Government Chairman has just led a team of gun tottering assailants to attack the entourage of Kenneth Imasuangbon and the Edo Central ADC Senatorial candidate, Hon Herbeta Okonofua,” Ojeikere said.
He added that the suspected attackers “shot fatally at a young man, Jerry Oliha, from ADC ward 6, at the premises of the Enogie of Igueben.”
According to him, Oliha had been taken to the hospital while the police had also been informed about the incident.
“The young man has been rushed to the Irrua Specialist Hospital, where doctors are battling to save his life. This shooting is the third time the entourage was shot at today. First at ward 4, and then, at ward 5, of the Local Government Area,” he said.
The ADC said it would issue a comprehensive report on what it described as a pattern of political violence against its members and supporters in Edo State.
The party also alleged that similar incidents had occurred in other parts of the state, including Etsako East, Owan West and Owan East.
However, Azemegbe denied involvement in the alleged attack. The council chairman said he was not in Igueben when the incident occurred and only learnt about it after being contacted by journalists.
“I was not around and I don’t know what happened. I am just hearing this from you. I can assure you that I will investigate the matter,” Azemegbe said.
He added that he could not comment on an incident he did not witness.
“I can’t say anything about what I didn’t know. The thing is strange to me. We are peaceful people and brothers in Igueben,” he said.
The denial has added another dimension to the incident, as the ADC’s allegation and the council chairman’s response remain sharply different.
The Edo State Police Command also said it could not immediately confirm the reported attack.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the command would intervene once the matter was formally reported to the police.
The development also comes barely a week after the APC State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, was reported to have threatened to deploy AK-47 rifles against perceived opponents while discussing the party’s efforts to secure 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
