ADC urges further investigation into attack on Obi, others

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The South South Zone of the African Democratic Congress has urged the Department of State Service to unearth the financier and those who provided logistics for the attack on the Edo State secretariat of the party and the residence of the party’s national leader, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

The DSS, on Sunday, arrested a suspect named Udeme Stephen, believed to be linked to the attack on the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and some chieftains of the African Democratic Congress in Benin, the Edo State capital.

In a statement on Tuesday by the South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mabel Oboh, the party said the severity of what transpired and the sequence of events necessitate a more thorough investigation than a single arrest alone would suggest.

The statement reads, “The ADC South-South leadership commends the DSS for taking action. Yet, Nigerians deserve clear answers to fundamental questions: Was this truly the act of a single individual? Who financed it? Who provided logistical support? And who benefits from the climate of fear it sought to instil?

“We acknowledge the reported arrest of 26-year-old Udeme Sunday Stephen by the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with the February 24 attacks in Benin City.

“However, the severity of what transpired and the sequence of events necessitate a more thorough investigation than a single arrest alone would suggest.

”For clarity and for the record: The violence did not originate at the residence of former National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.”

Throwing more light on the attack, Oboh said that the attack took place at the party secretariat, which left several individuals injured, while the attackers moved to Oyegun’s residence, where they also destroyed vehicles parked outside, while the party leaders held a meeting inside. She added, “The initial attack occurred at the ADC Secretariat shortly after the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into our party, an event attended by prominent leaders, including Peter Obi.