The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Mr. Udoh Oberaifo, has disclosed that he has narrowly escaped assassination attempts three times due to his aspiration to become the governor of the state.
Oberaifo made this claim while briefing journalists on Saturday in Benin City, stating that his situation has worsened following the withdrawal of his security details by the police.
Despite the challenges, Oberaifo vowed to continue his campaign without fear, asserting that the attacks are orchestrated by his political enemies to intimidate and silence him.
He further alleged that his billboards have been ordered to be removed across the Benin metropolis, lamenting that “as we speak, the vendors have taken monies but stated they were given instructions not to put them up.”
He said, “As many of you know, I have been running my campaign with one mission in mind: to serve the people of Edo State with integrity, fairness, and a deep commitment to positive change.
“I entered this race with the belief that democracy is the foundation upon which we can build a better future for all, where every voice can be heard, and every candidate can compete on a level playing field.
“However, in recent times, my safety has been severely compromised. I have narrowly escaped three assassination attempts during the course of this campaign.
“These were not just random acts of violence—they were targeted attacks meant to silence me, to instill fear, and to disrupt the democratic process. In addition to these threats, my security details have been inexplicably withdrawn.
“I am currently disarmed and left vulnerable, despite taking the necessary steps to address this through official channels.
ALSO READ: Missing 10-year-old boy found in Abuja
“I have written to the Inspector General of Police, and I met with the Deputy Inspector General in Abuja just last week. He assured me that signals would be sent to the various police commands to act swiftly on the matter.
“But here I stand before you, still waiting for action to be taken, still waiting for the protection that every citizen is entitled to. The situation is dire. My life is at risk, and by extension, so is the democratic process in Edo State,” he lamented.
Oberaifo continued, “When a candidate cannot safely campaign, when intimidation and fear become tools in the political arsenal, we must all ask ourselves what kind of democracy we are fostering.”
“I am calling on the government, on the security agencies, and on the people of Edo State to recognize the gravity of this situation.
“To the government and security agencies: I urge you to take immediate action to restore my security detail and ensure that no further attempt on my life is made.”
The AAC governorship candidate added, “To the people of Edo State: I ask for your support, your prayers, and your vigilance. We must stand together against any attempt to undermine our democracy.
“I assure you that I will not be intimidated, I will not be silenced, and I will continue to fight for a better Edo State.
“Finally, I want to remind us all that in a true democracy, no one should be allowed to win through fear and intimidation. We must uphold the principles of fairness, justice, and equal opportunity for all candidates,” he concluded.
When contacted for comment, the Edo State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said that he was yet to be briefed on the matter and promised to get back to our correspondent on the issue.
