A supporter of the African Democratic Congress has been injured after suspected political thugs opened fire on the convoy of the party’s Edo Central Senatorial candidate, Herberta Okonofua, and former governorship aspirant, Kenneth Imasuangbon, in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State on Tuesday.
The victim, identified as Jerry Oliha, reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during the attack.
The ADC alleged that the attackers were suspected political loyalists of a political party, led by a local government boss.
The incident, which allegedly occurred during the ADC leaders’ political engagements in the area, was said to be the third attack on the entourage within the local government, following earlier alleged shootings in Wards 4 and 5.
The party’s State Publicity Secretary, Chris Ojeikere, alleged that the latest attack was part of a wider pattern of violence against opposition members and facilities in the state, citing similar incidents allegedly recorded in Etsako East, Owan West and Owan East.
Ojeikere said, “The [LG boss] has led a team of gun-toting assailants to attack the entourage of Kenneth Imasuangbon and the Edo Central ADC Senatorial candidate, Hon. Herberta Okonofua.
“The hoodlum shot fatally at a young man, Jerry Oliha, from ADC Ward 6, at the premises of the Enogie of Igueben.
“The young man was rushed to the Irrua Specialist Hospital, where doctors are battling to save his life. This shooting is the third time the entourage was shot, first at Ward 4 and then at Ward 5 of the local government area.”
He added, “ADC will come out with a comprehensive report on this unfortunate policy of violence of the APC shortly. The DPO of the Igueben Local Government Area has been informed and involved in the unfortunate incident.”
However, Igueben Local Government Council Chairman, Endurance Azemegbe, denied any involvement in the alleged attack, saying he was not in Igueben when the incident occurred and only heard about it from journalists.
“I was not around and I don’t know what happened. I am just hearing this from you. I can assure you that I will investigate the matter.
“I can’t say anything about what I didn’t know. The thing is strange to me. We are peaceful people and brothers in Igueben,” he said.
The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said she could not immediately confirm the incident, adding that the command would wade into the matter once it was formally reported.
The development has sparked fresh concerns over growing political tension in Edo State, coming barely a week after All Progressives Congress State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, was reported to have threatened to deploy AK-47 rifles against perceived opponents in the party’s drive to deliver 2.5 million votes to President Bola Tinubu.
