Obi Condemns Attacks on Opposition, Says ‘Nobody Has a Monopoly of Violence’

 By Orbit News 24

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned what he described as growing attacks on opposition figures in Nigeria, warning that no individual or group has a monopoly of violence.

Obi made the remark while reacting to an incident that allegedly occurred last Tuesday in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, where he and some members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were reportedly targeted by suspected political thugs.

The allegation was disclosed by Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, who claimed that the group accompanying Obi during a political engagement in the state came under attack.

Reacting to the development, Obi warned that intimidation and violence should not be allowed to undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.

“Nobody has a monopoly of violence,” Obi said, stressing that political actors must embrace tolerance and allow democratic competition to thrive.

The former governor of Anambra State also reiterated his commitment to continue participating in Nigeria’s democratic process and indicated his intention to contest in the 2027 presidential election, despite what he described as attempts to intimidate opposition voices.

He urged political leaders and supporters across party lines to reject violence and focus on policies that will address the country’s economic and security challenges.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities in Edo State had not issued an official statement confirming the alleged attack.