By Our Reporter
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has strongly condemned what it described as the brutal and coordinated attack on the former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, in Benin City, Edo State, which occurred on Tuesday, declaring pointedly that such was not a mere "political clash" but a premeditated, state-sponsored act of terrorism aimed at silencing the nation's leading opposition voice.
Recalled that some unidentified gunmen, who trailed Mr. Obi’s convoy on Tuesday from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secretariat opened fire at the residence of former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
The attackers riddled vehicles with bullets and damaged property in the process, and later escaped.
CUPP expressed this concern in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Comrade Mark Adebayo, copy of which was made available to newsmen on Wednesday, quickly recalling the public threats made by Edo State Governor, Mr. Monday Okpebholo, who it said "previously warned that Mr. Obi's security would not be 'guaranteed' if he entered the state without prior 'clearance.'"
According to CUPP, these remarks, followed by Tuesday afternoon violent assault, confirm a dangerous pattern of using state influence to intimidate and physically harm political opponents, noting that the precision of the attack and its timing after official government warnings pointed to a state-sanctioned operation.
"Our attention has been drawn to the disgraceful incident on Tuesday afternoon when armed thugs trailing Mr. Obi’s convoy from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secretariat opened fire at the residence of former APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. The attackers riddled vehicles with bullets and damaged property in a clear attempt to eliminate Mr. Obi and other political leaders, including Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor and Olumide Akpata.
"We remind Nigerians of the public threats made by Edo State Governor, Mr. Monday Okpebholo, who previously warned that Mr. Obi's security would not be "guaranteed" if he entered the state without prior "clearance." These remarks, followed by this violent assault, confirm a dangerous pattern of using state influence to intimidate and physically harm political opponents.
"Without any shred of doubt, this was clearly a sate-sponsored terrorism. The precision of the attack and its timing after official government warnings point to a state-sanctioned operation," the coalition said.
CUPP, while further condemning the development, described it as a brazen attack on the nation's democracy and desperate attempt by the ruling APC to prevent Mr. Obi from being on the ballot, come 2027.
The coalition alleged that the ruling establishment had decided to apply what it described as the Nazi principle of final solution to eliminate Peter Obi having discovered that they could not stop the coming political Tsunami that would sweep the APC from power in 2027.
CUPP called on Nigerians and the whole world to hold the APC government in Edo State and at the center responsible responsible should any harm befall Peter Obi, alleging that that the ruling party "is killing Nigeria's democracy by rapid installments" by its persistent acts of lawlessness and antidemocratic rhetoric.
The coalition, while calling for an immediate, independent investigation into the role of the Edo State Government and security agencies who it said failed to prevent the attack, warned that any harm that happened to Mr. Obi would be met with unprecedented resistance from the Nigerian people.
Cupp expressed its resolute commitment to a new Nigeria, saying that it would not be intimidated by the "bullets of the desperate."
"We call for an immediate, independent investigation into the role of the Edo State Government and security agencies who failed to prevent this blatant breach of peace.
"Any harm that happens to Mr. Peter Obi will be met with unprecedented resistance from the Nigerian people. We remain resolute in our commitment to a new Nigeria and will not be intimidated by the 'bullets of the desperate,'" the coalition warned.
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