Former Chief Whip of the Senate, and one of the elders of the budding opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State, Rowland Owie, has taken exception to being linked to Tuesday’s gun attacks on the Secretariat of the party and the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, a national leader of the party, and former governor of Edo State.
The attacks happened after the 2024 Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata was received into the party with the presence of Peter Obi.
Newsmat.com.ng reports that Governor Monday Okpebholo, Kassim Afegbua, the state commissioner for Information and Orientation, and Jarrett Tenebe, the Edo State chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) had linked the violent attacks to the division in the party over an incident that happened on Monday at Odigie-Oyegun’s residence when Senator Owie and some leaders of the party were excluded from an ongoing meeting of party leaders and elders.
Tuesday’s meeting at the ADC secretariat was said to be proceeding peacefully until Odigie-Oyegun was alerted by security operatives that an attack was imminent and they should leave the venue.
Reacting to his alleged involvement in the attacks, Senator Owie, in a statement on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, describe the suggestion as a lie.
The statement read: ”In all my political life since 1979, when I was first elected to the House of Representatives, I have never been involved in violent politics. I have built a career on dialogue, legislative integrity, and service. I would not begin to tarnish a four-decade legacy now.
“To suggest I would sponsor an attack on a gathering where my own brother, Chief Oyegun, and respected colleagues like Peter Obi were present is not just a lie—it is an insult to the intelligence of the Edo people.”
Governor Okpebholo, who in his personally signed statement, stealthily accused Obi of importing thugs into the state.
Condemning the use of violence by “politicians or individuals seeking electoral advantage”, Okpebholo posited that such actions demonstrate “a lack of integrity and respect for the electorate” stressing that his party welcomes constructive opposition and would not be “intimidated by blackmail or self-inflicted attacks”.
The governor advised the party to avoid external accusations, suggesting that the conflict appeared rooted in “internal disagreements”.