Kenneth Okonkwo Accuses Government of Orchestrating Assassination Attempt on Peter Obi in Edo State
Actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has made explosive allegations that the recent violent attack on Labour Party's Peter Obi and other chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State was nothing short of an assassination attempt orchestrated by government officials and their agents. The incident occurred on February 24th during what was supposed to be a political gathering in the state.
Direct Accusations Against Government Figures
In a televised interview with Arise TV, Okonkwo presented a detailed account of the events, connecting them directly to previous threats made by Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki. "This was an assassination attempt by people I can describe as either the governmental people or their agents," Okonkwo stated emphatically.
The actor-politician reminded viewers of Governor Obaseki's earlier warning to Peter Obi, "Recall that Governor Obaseki once warned Peter Obi that he should not step into Edo state except he gets clearance from him and that his security will not be guaranteed." Okonkwo revealed he had previously appeared on the same network to warn about what he perceived as threats to opposition leaders' lives.
Detailed Account of the Violent Incident
According to Okonkwo's narrative, the attack unfolded during an event meant to welcome former Nigerian Bar Association President Olumide Akpata into the ADC. The political gathering was disrupted by what Okonkwo described as a convoy of approximately ten vehicles, with one pilot vehicle controlling the group's movements.
"They went first into the venue where the event took place," Okonkwo explained. "They had left because they heard people were coming to attack them. They ran into Chief John Oyegun's house for safety."
The situation escalated dramatically when the attackers pursued the political leaders to their refuge. "To confirm their seriousness, they chased them after shooting things into that venue. They chased them into Oyegun's house and blasted the gate and all the vehicles that were there," Okonkwo recounted, painting a picture of determined violence against political opponents.
Broader Political Implications
Okonkwo framed the incident within a larger political context, describing it as "genocide against political opponents" and suggesting it represents a dangerous trend toward one-party dominance in Nigeria's political landscape.
"This government has started trying to do genocide against political parties," he asserted. "You may have heard when people say we are tilting toward a one-party state, and this was orchestrated by the ruling party to ensure that there is no other party. That is what genocide means."
The actor-politician suggested that with the emergence of new political movements like the ADC, the government's strategy has shifted toward eliminating opposition leadership. "So having failed to genocide all the political parties because ADC from the Kingdom of grace just emerged, their only choice now is to wipe out all the opposition leaders, and that is the next era they are going into," Okonkwo concluded ominously.
The interview has sparked significant discussion about political violence and opposition safety in Nigeria, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle. Okonkwo's allegations represent some of the most direct accusations of government involvement in political violence to emerge in recent Nigerian political discourse.
