Scramble for Tickets Tears ADC Apart in Edo State
O I, Oyegun, Osunbor and other ADC members after a shot out at Oyegun's residence in Benin City
By Editor
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is engulfed in one of its most serious internal crises in Edo State political history as intense competition for political tickets and control of party structures has fractured loyalties, sparked violent confrontations and drawn widespread condemnation from political stakeholders.
The immediate flashpoint began earlier this week when several senior party figures were barred from a key meeting held at the residence of a former governor and ADC national leader—Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
Those excluded included founding members and prominent Edo ADC leaders such as former Senate Chief Whip Sir Rowland Owie, one of the party financier Sunny Aguebor and IPMAN national leader Douglas Iyike.
Aggrieved leaders confronted the situation, blocking access to the venue until police intervened.
Sources within the party told Midwest Herald that the clash reflects deeper power struggles over who controls the party’s direction and ticket allocations ahead of the 2027 elections as high-profile politicians and aspiring candidates vie for nomination.
In the midst of the internal power struggle, violence erupted at party secretariat moments after a political gathering and tensions escalated sharply on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, when suspected political hoodlums disrupted a political event where some politicians, including the Labour Party’s Governorship Candidate, Barr Olumide Akpata defected into ADC.
According to the Edo State Police Command, the intruders chased attendees off the premises, damaging chairs and canopies before security arrived.
Following that, the hoodlums went on rampage at Chief Odigie-Oyegun’s residence where several vehicles were damaged with gunshots. Police later told press that they are investigating the violent incidents but political stakeholders condemned the attacks, stressing that it has further inflamed fears of politically-motivated violence.
Midwest Herald further gathered that the political defections maybe compounding the crisis, because some of the leaders are afraid of losing out tickets to new joinders.
Apart from Olumide Akpata who formally joined the ADC in Benin City as part of wider realignment of opposition figures in Edo State, other notable politicians have indicated interest to flag the party’s tickets in the 2027 general elections. This move according to investigation, has aggravated the internal divisions.
Apart from Chief Odigie-Oyegun, all the front-row leaders have enlisted the tickets to themselves and kins. For instance, the battle for Edo South Senatorial ticket led to the blockade at Chief Oyegun’s resident in Benin City.
Our checks also revealed that the House of Representatives tickets, including that of Ovia Federal Constituency have already been allocated to some leaders, a situation that may stunt the expansion of the movement.
Across the political spectrum, many have decried the escalation — with some ADC chieftains also attributing the unrest to desperation over political tickets and alleged interference by external actors seeking influence in the party’s affairs.
On the gun attack at Chief Oyegun’s residence, eyewitnesses, activists and party figures described the intrusions as violent, involving gunfire and panic that forced party members to flee.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi who was present at the ADC events in Benin City, escaped unharmed when those he called “armed assailants” opened fire at the political gathering after pursuing ADC faithful from their party secretariat to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence.
Several news channels have labelled the incident as a “near assassination attempt,” raising concerns about political violence and insecurity ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ADC national spokesperson also condemned the attacks, calling them a threat to democracy and vowed continued engagement despite intimidation.
The Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman, Jarrett Tenebe rejected claims his party was involved, arguing the violence stemmed from factional fights within the ADC.
The Civil Society, including party figures of the different political parties have sounded alarm bell and warned that the ADC incidents reflect deep fractures over ticket allocation and control of party structures, raising fears over broader political instability as the 2027 elections approach.
