Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Edo State, raising fresh concerns about political violence in Nigeria.

The attack occurred on Tuesday at the residence of former APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, where gunmen reportedly opened fire, riddling the gate and multiple vehicles with bullets. The incident reportedly followed a political gathering in Benin marking the formal declaration of Barrister Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a video circulating online, Obi condemned the attack, describing it as a worrying reflection of Nigeria’s democratic state. “This is where our democracy has reached. A former governor can be attacked in front of his host. We cannot allow terrorism and government officials to terrorise citizens,” he said.

Eyewitnesses and the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, revealed that the assailants allegedly trailed Obi and other political figures from the ADC Secretariat to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence before opening fire. Despite the gunfire, no casualties were reported. Several vehicles, however, were damaged, and bullet holes were visible on the estate gate.

The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders and civil society groups, with calls for heightened security measures to protect political actors and ensure peaceful democratic processes.