Fears of political violence escalate in Edo State ahead of the upcoming election as Prince Henry Okojie, husband of Nollywood star Mercy Johnson, narrowly survives an assassination attempt.
The attack, reportedly carried out by armed thugs, raises concerns about security in the region.
With just days to go before the Edo State governorship election, political tension has reached new heights following an assassination attempt on a federal lawmaker, Prince Henry Odianosen Okojie. Okojie, who represents the Esan North-East/Esan South-East Federal Constituency in Edo State and is the husband of Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson, narrowly escaped an attack on his residence in Uromi on Friday morning.
The attack has further fueled fears of political violence ahead of the September 21 governorship polls, as supporters and stakeholders express concerns over the growing insecurity in the state.
Okojie’s media aide, Michael Ihaza, confirmed the assassination attempt in a statement, revealing that armed men suspected to be political thugs stormed the lawmaker’s residence in a Lexus GX 470 with a Rivers State registration number, PHC 253 FF. The attackers, disguised as police officers, gained entry into the house, claiming to be on an appointment with Okojie.
According to the statement, the swift intervention of Okojie’s security personnel thwarted the assassination plot. “The armed thugs, who disguised as police officers, alongside two others, invaded the residence and proceeded to the sitting room. Fortunately, security personnel attached to the lawmaker intervened, causing two of the attackers to flee, while the driver and another suspect were apprehended.”
The suspects are currently being interrogated by officers of the Nigeria Police Force at the Uromi Area Command. Ihaza disclosed that the suspects had confessed to being sent by leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Esan North-East Local Government Area. However, efforts to confirm this from the Edo State Police Command were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The attempted assassination of Okojie, who has been actively involved in campaigning for his party ahead of the election, has raised significant security concerns, with many fearing that the incident could lead to an escalation of violence in the run-up to the polls.
The Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Anugbum Onuoha, has called for calm, urging political actors to refrain from inciting violence and to allow the election process to proceed peacefully. “It is important that we conduct this election in a secure environment. All parties must prioritize the safety of citizens and the integrity of the election process,” Onuoha said.
As the election draws near, the atmosphere in Edo State remains tense, with political observers watching closely for any further incidents of violence or intimidation.
