Widespread condemnation, yesterday, trailed the gun attack on Edo State secretariat of African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the residence of the party’s national leader and former Edo State governor, John Odigie-Oyegun, during which former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and other party leaders narrowly escaped harm.

The attack, which occurred after a political event in Benin City, has drawn outrage from political parties, civil society groups and stakeholders, who warned that such violence pose grave danger to Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While condemning the incident, Governor Monday Okpebholo denied any involvement and described the development as an internal crisis within the ADC taken too far.

This was as ADC threatened to drag the All Progressives Congress, APC, before the ECOWAS Court of Justice over what it described as a gun attack and assassination attempt on its leaders in Edo State, warning that the development points to a troubling slide for Nigeria’s democracy.

IPAC demands arrest, prosecution of culprits

In Abuja, the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, described the attack as a “brazen and reprehensible assault” on democracy.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Egbeola Martins, IPAC called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

“We unequivocally condemn the brazen and reprehensible attack on former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and former Governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun and other leaders of the ADC.

“The reported assault on the ADC secretariat as well as the attack on the residence of Chief Odigie-Oyegun by suspected thugs represents one of the gravest manifestations of political intolerance in recent times. Such acts are not only criminal but constitute a direct assault on Nigeria’s democratic order.

“The use of thuggery, intimidation and brute force to silence opposition voices is dangerous, unacceptable and capable of derailing our hard-earned democracy if not urgently addressed. Democracy thrives on healthy competition of ideas, not the barrel of a gun,” IPAC said.

The council urged President Bola Tinubu to “rise above partisan considerations” and ensure that all perpetrators were tracked, arrested and prosecuted without delay.