Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and member of its National Working Committee, has accused the Federal Government or its agents of orchestrating an assassination attempt on former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during an attack on his convoy in Edo State.
Okonkwo made the explosive claim during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, shortly after gunmen opened fire on Obi and other opposition figures in Benin City.
“The attack on Peter Obi in Edo State was an attempted assassination by the government or their agents,” Okonkwo stated emphatically.
“It is no longer alleged, it happened. This was an assassination attempt.This government has started trying to do genocide against political parties. This was orchestrated by APC to ensure there is no other party.”
He pointed to a prior public warning from Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo as key context.
In a resurfaced video from July 2025, the governor reportedly said Peter Obi “cannot come to Edo State without telling me because his security will not be guaranteed. Whatever happens to him in Edo State, he will take it. I am serious about this.”
The incident occurred as Obi and ADC leaders, including former Edo Governor and current ADC chairman Chief John Odigie Oyegun, gathered to welcome Olumide Akpata, ex-President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
A convoy of about ten vehicles was reportedly trailed by gunmen who opened fire at a private residence, damaging vehicles but with no reported fatalities.
Okonkwo revealed he had been in direct contact with Oyegun, who provided details of the event.
He described the attack as a premeditated effort to intimidate the opposition and suppress political pluralism.
"Peter Obi himself condemned the incident, describing it as evidence of the deteriorating state of Nigeria's democracy, while the ADC vowed it would “neither bow nor retreat.”
No official response has been issued yet from the Federal Government, the APC, or Governor Okpebholo regarding Okonkwo’s allegations or the attack. Security agencies have not released details on suspects or motives.
The development has sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians linking the incident to the governor’s earlier threat and raising concerns over the safety of opposition leaders ahead of future political activities.
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