Photo; Mr Peter Obi
By: Mandy Park
A public policy think tank, the Neo Africana Centre (NAC), has described the recent armed attack on former Anambra State governor and presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, in Benin City as premeditated.
In a statement issued by its Executive Director, Dr. Amanze Obi, the Centre expressed concern over what it termed a growing culture of intolerance in Edo State, alleging that the development could degenerate into anarchy if not urgently addressed.
According to reports, Obi’s convoy was attacked last Tuesday in front of the residence of former Edo State governor, John Odigie-Oyegun. The incident occurred as Obi, Odigie-Oyegun and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) arrived at the residence following an official party event at the ADC secretariat in Benin City.
The Centre said it was alarmed by the development and questioned why Obi, whom it described as a politician without known hostility toward any individual, would be the target of what it called a “devious plot.” It urged security agencies to immediately investigate the attack and identify those responsible.
NAC further alleged that Edo State, under Governor Monday Okpebholo, has become unsafe, recalling that in July 2025 the governor reportedly warned Obi against entering the state without security clearance.
The Centre described the directive as a violation of Obi’s constitutional rights to freedom of movement and association.
The statement also referenced an earlier controversy in which Governor Okpebholo allegedly linked Obi’s July 7, 2025 visit to Benin City—during which he donated N15 million to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences—to a violent incident that occurred days later. NAC noted that the governor did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim and maintained that Obi had already left the state before the violence took place.
“In the light of the foregoing, we are constrained to think that what happened in Benin City on Tuesday has something to do with the earlier warning issued to Obi,” the statement read. “For us, therefore, the attack is premeditated. It smacks of bad blood and raw hatred.”
The Centre called on relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, stressing that Nigerians deserve to know the identities and motives of the attackers.
It warned that failure to address the matter could erode public confidence in the nation’s security architecture, especially as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
NAC emphasized that Obi, as a Nigerian citizen, is entitled to move freely and associate without intimidation, adding that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure a safe and secure environment for all political actors.
