IPAC’s National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, describing the incident as a dangerous escalation of political intolerance.

“The Inter-Party Advisory Council unequivocally condemns the brazen and reprehensible attack on former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, former APC National Chairman and former Governor of Edo State, John Odigie-Oyegun and other leaders of the ADC following a political ceremony to formally welcome Olumide Akpata into the party in Edo State,” Martins said.

He described the reported assault on the ADC secretariat and the attack on Odigie-Oyegun’s residence by suspected thugs as one of the gravest manifestations of political intolerance in recent times.

“Such acts are not only criminal but constitute a direct assault on Nigeria’s democratic order.

“Political contestation must never descend into violence. The use of thuggery, intimidation and brute force to silence opposition voices is dangerous, unacceptable and capable of derailing our hard-earned democracy if not urgently and decisively addressed. Democracy thrives on healthy competition of ideas, not the barrel of a gun,” he added.

IPAC called on President Bola Tinubu and the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, to intervene and ensure accountability.

“IPAC calls on President Bola Tinubu to rise above partisan considerations and unequivocally condemn this dastardly act. We further urge him to deploy the full machinery of the Federal Government to ensure that all those responsible for this coordinated violence are tracked, arrested and prosecuted without delay.

“We equally call on the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, to demonstrate statesmanship by rising above party lines and ensuring that justice is served. IPAC warns that a culture of violence and intolerance against opposition parties poses a serious threat to national stability.

“If left unchecked, it could create a dangerous precedent where political disagreements are settled through force rather than through democratic processes,” Martins stated.

IPAC’s reaction followed reports that Obi, Odigie-Oyegun and other ADC chieftains were allegedly attacked in Benin during political activities surrounding the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the party.

Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, had earlier raised the alarm, circulating photos and videos showing several SUVs with smashed windshields and the gate to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence riddled with bullets.

However, in a swift reaction, the Edo State Government described Obi’s claims as false and malicious, insisting that the ADC’s account was a misrepresentation of the facts.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okpebholo, the government said it had noted with concern Obi’s allegation that members of his political camp were attacked by government officials in the state, rejecting the claim outright.

The reported incident has further heightened political tensions in Edo State, amid growing concerns over the safety of political actors and the state of Nigeria’s democracy.