March 09, (THEWILL) — A week after former presidential candidate Peter Obi escaped a suspected assassination attempt after gunmen opened fire during a political gathering involving leaders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Benin City, Edo State, the former Minister of Transportation and leader of the ADC in the South-South, Rotimi Amaechi, was attacked by thugs on Friday.
The Benin-City attack took place during activities linked to the formal entry of Barrister Olumide Akpata into the ADC.In Rivers State, the armed men suspected to be political thugs, attacked Amaechi’s convoy during an e-registration exercise in his community of Ubima. The gunmen, who had previously set ablaze the ADC ward office in Ubima on Thursday night, mounted a roadblock between Ubima and Omuanwa in the Ikwerre Local Government Area. Vehicles carrying party members were turned back as the thugs fired sporadically, even riddling the gate of Amaechi’s family home with bullets.
When Amaechi arrived around 12:15 pm, security operatives in his convoy engaged the attackers. Demonstrating superior training and firepower, the security team forced the armed men, who had allegedly setting up illegal road block looking for vehicles carrying ADC materials including banners, to flee into the surrounding bushes. Addressing hundreds of ADC members present for the e-registration, Amaechi commended the swift and professional response of security agencies, including the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the Director of DSS, and the Commandant of NSCDC.
“I wasn’t expecting that kind of cooperation. The police, NSCDC, and DSS all came out professionally, and we are grateful to them”, he said, adding that, “I have been a Governor, and I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of people. The people will begin to protect themselves because they don’t want to die. Our role is to be calm, to be peaceful. We are steadily marching to Aso Rock . What they are doing is just mere distraction. What they are doing, I dare say will not put food on your table. We are hungry. And if you are hungry, tell them that you are hungry . There are just a few people who are stealing our money, and they are saying we should keep quiet” Amaechi stated
The former governor appealed to party members to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their hands. He called on the Governor of Rivers State to ensure adequate security across all parts of the state to prevent anarchy.
Amaechi, one of the ADC chieftains who have declared their interest to contest the 2027 presidential polls urged party members to intensify mobilisation ahead of upcoming elections and avoid indulging in acts capable of stoking tension and crises ahead of the 2027 general elections. He appealed to security agencies to swiftly move to unravel those behind the dastardly act, with a view to bringing them to justice, describing the destruction of the party’s office and the facilities there as a clear threat to political freedom and democracy both in Rivers state and the country at large.
These attacks on Obi and now Amaechi have sparked widespread panic and heightened political tensions as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections. For the first time since the Benin-City attacked, Mr Peter Obi, at the weekend said that no individual or group has a monopoly of violence, insisting that nobody can stop him from visiting any part of the country.
Speaking during a visit to Peter University, Achina, Anambra State, he said, “I am a Nigerian, and I am free to go to any part of this country. It is a constitutional right that nobody can take away from me. But let me make it clear, nobody has a monopoly of violence.” In exercising of his right to free movement and gathering, he said that he travelled to Rivers State despite receiving a warning that he should not step foot in the state, adding that such threats did not deter him from honouring an earlier invitation shortly after the Benin attack
Like Amaechi, Obi, who has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the, ADC, claimed that those orchestrating his attack with the intention of keeping him out of the presidential race were wasting their efforts, insisting that such moves would not deter him from pursuing his ambition.
“I’m not desperate to be the President of Nigeria, but I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. Nigeria has collapsed and is already lying on the ground. Nigeria is not working because many rich Nigerians are greedy. They have everything they need, but are still scavenging for more. No matter what they do, I must contest the election. Let them declare a free and fair contest, bring the ball to the centre of the field and declare it started, and let us see what happens,” said. In an obvious reference to the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, he said, “With their 30 governors, they should make the election free and fair.”
Though the Police command in Edo state has confirmed that unrest occurred on February 24, 2025 during ADC political activities at the party’s state secretariat located on Ogbelaka Street, off Sapele Road, Benin City, it is yet to say if suspect has been arrested in connection with the attack.
Police spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed that hoodlums allegedly infiltrated the gathering shortly after the programme ended, causing panic that resulted in a stampede as attendees dispersed. The attackers reportedly vandalised plastic chairs and canopies arranged outside the venue before fleeing upon sighting responding police patrol teams.
The Command said no casualties were recorded, although one woman sustained minor injuries during the stampede unrelated to gunfire and was treated at a nearby chemist before being discharged. The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, has ordered a full-scale investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible for the disturbances.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring security for all political stakeholders, irrespective of party affiliation and warned that acts of political violence would not be tolerated under any guise. Political party leaders have also been invited to a meeting with the Commissioner of Police to strengthen measures to ensure peaceful political activities in the state.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Hon. Charles Wobodo, has called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order an investigation into the reported shooting in Omuanwa. Wobodo said he was at Omuanwa at the time to attend the burial of a community member when the incident occurred, and alleged that security personnel in the convoy opened fire upon sighting local vigilante members stationed in the community to protect lives and property.
“The vigilante members never stopped anybody. It is a story cooked up by Amaechi and his people. They never stopped any vehicle, let alone a convoy,” he said.
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