Edo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Kassim Afegbua, has suggested that some members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who were barred from attending a party meeting might have been involved in the reported attack on Peter Obi and other party figures.
Afegbua made the allegation during an appearance on Arise News on Wednesday.
He explained that internal disagreements within the ADC began on Monday and later escalated, creating tension among party leaders. He added that signs of anger and conflict were visible among members.
The statement follows reports that Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (Nigeria), survived an alleged assassination attempt on Tuesday.
According to Afegbua, some party members who were denied access to the meeting may have been responsible for the attack.
He said the Monday incident triggered serious unrest, including road blockage leading to the Government House, which forced people to take alternative routes.
He further claimed that video evidence showed heightened emotions among party leaders, with one leader allegedly locking the gate of his residence to stop others from attending the meeting.
Afegbua concluded that the individuals prevented from participating in the meeting might have later orchestrated the violent incident.
“The ADC members who were prevented from attending the meeting may have orchestrated the attack.
“That event on Monday caused a serious crisis, blocking the road to Government House and necessitating a detour.
“I was in Benin during this incident. The video footage reveals anger and tension among party leaders, with one leader reportedly locking his gate to prevent others from attending a meeting.
“This incident is believed to have led to the subsequent crisis, with those prevented from attending the meeting potentially orchestrating it,” he said.