ADC Leader Kenneth Okonkwo Alleges Assassination Plot in Benin Attack, Accuses APC of Targeting Opposition

‘This Was an Assassination Attempt’ — Okonkwo Speaks After Armed Disruption of ADC Gathering

A senior figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has described the recent armed attack on party leaders in Benin City as an “assassination attempt” and accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating violence to silence opposition voices.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday, Okonkwo alleged that those behind the attack were either government officials or acting on their behalf.

“This was an assassination attempt by people I can describe as either the governmental people or their agents. This is genocide against political opponents,” he said.

Attack at Benin Political Gathering

The incident occurred during a political gathering in Benin City attended by prominent ADC leaders, including former Edo State governor John Odigie-Oyegun, former governor Oserheimen Osunbor, and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi.

Okonkwo stated that although no deaths had been confirmed at the time of his interview, several people sustained injuries.

“We cannot say that they killed anybody, but other people were injured. We are yet to know about the casualty figures because it happened today,” he said.

Claims of Security Withdrawal

The ADC chieftain further alleged that security protection assigned to some of the leaders had been withdrawn before the attack, making the incident possible.

“They withdrew the security of John Oyegun and all the other people. If the security was there, they wouldn’t be attacked. So there was no security, basically. And that’s why I said it’s genocide,” he claimed.

He questioned why adequate protection was not provided, particularly given the presence of three former governors at the venue.

“One thing is very, very telling; three former governors were in that venue… and the federal government, with the state government, could not provide enough security for their safety,” Okonkwo added.

Allegations of One-Party Agenda

Okonkwo accused the APC-led government of attempting to weaken opposition parties in pursuit of a one-party state.

“This government has started trying to do genocide against political parties. You must have heard when they said that it’s like we are tilting towards a one-party state, and this was orchestrated by APC to ensure that there is no other party,” he said.

He further alleged that after failing to neutralise opposition parties politically, the focus had shifted to intimidating or targeting their leaders.

Police Response

According to Okonkwo, the incident has been formally reported to security authorities. He said Odigie-Oyegun informed him that the state Commissioner of Police visited after the attack.

“They reported the incident. Oyegun told me that the Commissioner of Police was magnanimous enough to visit him, but what we do not know is what happens after then,” he said.

Authorities have yet to publicly respond to Okonkwo’s allegations linking government actors to the violence. Meanwhile, the claims have intensified political tensions, raising fresh concerns about the safety of opposition figures and the health of Nigeria’s democratic space.