EDO ADC CANDIDATE, IMANSUAGBON ESCAPE GUN ATTACK IN IGUEBEN

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) campaign train in Edo State came under alleged gun attack on Tuesday as the party’s Edo Central senatorial candidate, Herberta Okonofua, and prominent chieftain Kenneth Imansuagbon reportedly escaped unhurt in Igueben Local Government Area.

An ADC supporter, Jerry Oliha, was reportedly shot during the incident and taken to Irrua Specialist Hospital for treatment, according to the party.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the incident occurred during political engagements by ADC leaders in the local government area, with the party alleging that the attackers were political loyalists of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The allegation has, however, been rejected by Endurance Azemegbe, Chairman of Igueben Local Government Area, whom the ADC accused of leading the alleged attack. Azemegbe denied involvement, saying he was not in Igueben when the shooting occurred and that he only learnt about the incident from journalists. He said he would investigate the matter.

ADC ALLEGES REPEATED ATTACKS

According to the ADC’s Edo State Publicity Secretary, Chris Ojeikere, the incident was not an isolated confrontation. Ojeikere alleged that the entourage had come under attack three times during Tuesday’s political activities, including alleged shootings in Wards 4 and 5 before the reported incident involving the party leaders.

The party also alleged that similar incidents had occurred in other parts of the state, including Etsako East, Owan West and Owan East Local Government Areas.

ValidViewNetwork understands that the allegations have not been independently established, and the identities and motives of the alleged attackers remain to be determined.

POLICE YET TO CONFIRM ATTACK

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The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the command could not immediately confirm the incident.She, however, said the police would intervene once the matter was formally reported.

The reported attack comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 elections and raises fresh concerns about the safety of political parties and their supporters during campaign and mobilisation activities.

VALIDVIEWNETWORK REPORTS

ValidViewNetwork reports that the competing accounts surrounding the Igueben incident make an impartial police investigation necessary.

The immediate priorities are to establish what happened, identify those responsible for the shooting that reportedly injured Oliha and determine whether the political actors named in the allegations had any connection with the incident.

Political competition does not remove the obligation of all parties and their supporters to respect the law and ensure that disagreements are settled without violence.