Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has condemned the attack on the residence of party chieftain and former Edo State governor, John Odigie-Oyegun, describing the development as alarming and dangerous for the country.
Obi spoke in Edo State during a visit to attend the defection of former Labour Party governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He also visited St. Philomena College of Nursing in support of ongoing projects at the institution.
Reacting to the attack, Obi urged authorities to take urgent and decisive action.
“It is time to speak up. It is time those in government act. They will not be there forever. What is allowed to happen in the country today will ultimately affect all of us and the nation,” he said.
In his remarks, Odigie-Oyegun warned that such incidents, if left unchecked, could plunge the country into chaos.
“I am afraid that our leaders, both at the centre and in this state are playing with fire. The consequences could be terrible, much more than any of you expect,” he said, adding that a scheduled party meeting at the secretariat had to be cut short following intelligence from a security agency that the venue might be attacked.
According to him, shortly after they vacated the premises, armed men arrived in about 10 vehicles, shooting and causing injuries while damaging property.
“There was no known cooperation or coordination between the security agencies such that that venue at least would get emergency protection. People were able to come in so many vehicles, shoot their way, break into the building, break the office, property and the rest of it and go away,” he said.
On the reported attack on his residence, Odigie-Oyegun suggested it may have been linked to Obi’s visit.
“They came here. We had a guest, of course, the former governor of Anambra and one of the prominent leaders of the ADC. From all indications, an aspirant. So whether that was what attracted the attack on my premises and my property… because the government here had threatened that if he came to Edo State without permission, his security cannot be guaranteed,” he stated.
He described the incident as deeply troubling, questioning how the state had deteriorated to such a level of insecurity.
“When did we degenerate to that kind of level?” he asked, warning that the trend was dangerous and not in the interest of anyone.
