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The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, raised a red flag on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, following an attack on Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate, and members of the movement in Benin City, Edo State. Tanko claimed that armed assailants opened fire on Obi and other key figures during the formal defection of Olumide Akpata to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a brief but alarming statement titled “Breaking Red Alert in Benin, Edo State,” Tanko recounted the events, stating that the attack occurred as Obi and other ADC leaders were moving from the party’s secretariat to the residence of former APC Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
Tanko’s statement reads: “PO (Peter Obi) and the leadership of the ADC are under siege and attack in Benin, Edo State. At the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress, armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. They shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be a survived assassination attempt on our lives. Democracy is in danger.”
Tanko’s alarming remarks have sparked widespread concern about the safety of political figures in the country, particularly with the upcoming elections. The attack has raised serious questions about political violence and security during this critical time.
The Obidient Movement and its supporters are calling for immediate investigations into the incident, urging the government and security agencies to ensure the protection of all political figures and guarantee a peaceful democratic process.
The identities of the attackers and the full motive behind the incident remain unclear. However, the attack has drawn significant condemnation from across the political spectrum, with many rallying behind Obi and his team, calling for justice and an end to political violence.
As of now, Obi and the leadership of the ADC have reportedly escaped unscathed, but the attack remains a grave reminder of the increasingly hostile environment faced by politicians and their supporters in the lead-up to Nigeria’s 2026 elections.
