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Demands Investigation into Incident
- Safiu Kehinde
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired back at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its allegation that the ruling party is responsible for the hoodlums’ attack on the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and other ADC leaders in Edo State.
NPO Reported that the ADC leaders had on Tuesday came under heavy attack from the armed hoodlums who opened fire at them at the residence of former Edo governor, John Odigie-Oyegun.
While no fatality or injury was recorded, the hoodlums however vandalised several cars with bullet holes seen on the gate of Odigie-Oyegun.
In the wake of the incident, the ADC, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the APC of being responsible for the attack, alleging that the ruling party is carrying out terrorism act against opposition figures.
Reacting to the allegation in a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC dismissed the allegation, labelling the ADC as its own nemesis.
APC cited the ongoing internal crisis within the party’s leadership as key factor to consider in the probe of the incident.
The ruling party held that making such allegation before investigation showed that the ADC lacks focus and has no regard for the due process of law.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is, undoubtedly, its own nemesis. It needs no external help to achieve its political demise. The party is doing a good job crippling itself even before it has time to stand on its feet.
“The ADC and its leaders are insufferable jesters. They weaponize dark humour as a strategy to deceive, distract and disrupt in desperation for public sympathy.
“In its press statement of February 25, 2026, the ADC claimed that the APC was responsible for the shooting incident involving its members in Edo State.
“That is utterly delusional. Accusing the APC even before any investigation is carried out by law enforcement is particularly senseless, and shows the ADC as a party that lacks focus and without regard for the due process of law.
“By its baseless conclusion, the party has declared itself to be the accuser, investigator, prosecutor, and judge in its own cause.” The statement partly read.
The APC further labelled that the opposition party’s act of terrorism allegation against it as reckless and unjustifiable.
It accused the ADC of desperation to stir sentiments and capitalise on public sympathy with the accusation.
“The ADC’s reference to “cases of acts of terrorism by the ruling APC against our party”, in its presser, is reckless and unjustifiable.
“This characterization only reveals the ADC and its leaders as a confused bunch, desperate to whip up sentiments and curry public sympathy at all costs.
“It’s flippant accusation clearly shows that the ADC is out of touch with the prevailing realities of the country’s war on terror, and insensitive to the patriotic sacrifices of our troops in the frontlines in defence of our lives and liberty.” The statement read further.
While condemning the attack on Obi and the ADC leaders, the APC called for investigation of the case with the ADC leaders and members labelled as prime suspects.
It maintained that the ADC is overrun by internal leadership and what it described as ‘cult-like supremacy struggles’.
“Make no mistake, violence of any kind in our political space is unacceptable and must be condemned by all well meaning Nigerians.
“Our great Party roundly condemns the reported shooting incident in Edo state. We call on police and other law enforcement authorities to carry out an expeditious investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Investigation of this incident should begin with a thorough scrutiny of the ADC, its leaders and members as prime suspects.
“As a party of leaders without members, the ADC is overrun by internal leadership and cult-like supremacy struggles.
“Among other leads, law enforcement investigation should focus on widely reported violent clashes and confrontations among its factional leaders over control and access to certain meetings of the party. The ADC cannot smear our great Party with a violent incident of its own exclusive making.” APC wrote.
The ruling party further reiterated that it has no role in the shooting incident, stressing that it is too busy to engage in such action.
“To be clear, the APC has absolutely no role or responsibility in the unfortunate shooting incident. We are too busy taking stock of our recent big wins in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) municipal elections, and the Rivers and Kano states constituency elections to pay any attention to a fringe and inconsequential meeting of ADC political wanderers in Edo state.
“The ADC should be just as busy trying to fathom its back-to-back dismal and disgraceful performance in previous and recent by-elections in the country despite its nuisance rants.
“We are grateful to Nigerians for the solid and growing support of our great Party. We particularly appreciate the electorate in the FCT, Kano and Rivers states for their eloquent vote of confidence in our Party, and in the visionary and transformative leadership of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR.
“Our Party and Mr President remain focused on building a stronger, more resilient and prosperous country for the good of all Nigerians.” The party added.