Olumide Akpata, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, has raised the alarm over a recent wave of violence in Benin, Edo State, characterising it as a deliberate strategy to intimidate the electorate and undermine the democratic process.
The incident occurred during Akpata’s formal defection to the ADC, a high-profile event where a former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and many others were in attendance.
According to statements circulating online, armed assailants allegedly trailed Peter Obi and other ADC leaders from the party’s secretariat to the residence of former national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.
The attackers reportedly opened fire at the gate and damaged several vehicles in the convoy.
Speaking on Friday during an interview with ARISE NEWS, Akpata argued that the brutality was a “chilling message” aimed at scaring citizens away from the polls.
“What I think is that it is just a message being sent to the electorate, a very dangerous message, that you will participate in this process at the risk of life and limb.
“So, you are better off staying at home. That’s an attack on democracy. Because what you find is that people become reluctant to participate,” Akpata stated.
Akpata revealed that the violence appeared to be specifically targeted at those identifying with the ADC.
He noted that individuals wearing party branded caps were singled out for assault.
“The report I got from my cousin was that anybody wearing the ADC cap was attacked and insulted. That’s the information I got. So, they’d take the cap, seize the cap from them, and then hit them with whatever cudgels they had, and all of that,” he explained.
Describing the escalation of the attack, he added, “One particular person, the guy, had a gun. But he didn’t shoot at the person. He shot to the ground. And there was a ricochet, and then some pellets or whatever it was, hit this particular person. And it was obvious to everybody that their offense was that they were participating in an ADC event.”
The ADC chieftain suggested that the circumstances clearly pointed toward state-sponsored political intolerance.
Invoking the legal maxim res ipsa loquitur (the thing speaks for itself), he pointed the finger at the ruling party.
“When you ask me, who are the people? There are only two players in this game. It is the APC and the opposition. So, for me, we say in law, res ipsa loquitur.
“The inescapable, the ineluctable conclusion is that the ruling party is sending a message to the opposition that opposition will not be tolerated. It’s unfortunate,” he added.
Akpata also aimed at Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who reportedly dismissed the violence as an “intra-party issue” within the ADC.
Akpata described the Governor’s stance as premature and a missed opportunity for leadership.
“I’m told that the governor said that this incident was intra-party, ADC. I’m told that he said that. I didn’t listen to that. And I felt that that was a bit premature. I felt that that wasn’t exactly the right way to approach it,” Akpata said.
He concluded by urging the Governor to prioritise a thorough investigation over assumptions: “I would have thought that, as governor… what I expected to hear from him was that we’re going to get to the bottom of this. And we’re going to deal with whoever is responsible for this.
“Except he has proof, but making assumptions or conjecture based on what he saw on TV the day before, (is wrong). And if he does have proof, he should come out with the proof.”
