The crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has degenerated into a major conflagration as hoodlums suspected to be loyal to one of the factions attacked the house of the party chieftain and former governor of the state, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, riddling his gate with bullets.

It would be recalled that several leaders of the party, including a former Chief Whip of the Senate, Sir Rowland Owie, who is one of the founders and financiers of the party in the state; Sunny Aguebor, a national leader of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), and Douglas Iyike, among others, were shut out of the meeting scheduled to be held at the residence of the National Leader of the party, Chief Odigie Oyegun, in Benin City.

It was gathered that Odigie-Oyegun scheduled the meeting for his residence and when the members got to the place, they were shown a list of those invited.

This development got the members infuriated and took over the entrance to the compound of Odigie-Oyegun.

Speaking to journalists, Owie called on the mational leadership of the ADC to call Odigie-Oyegun to order.

He said, “We that are here, are founding members of the ADC, we are supposed to have a meeting today, Chief John Oyegun who has not done anything to support the party in this state is calling non-members to a meeting and excluding those who are statutory members.

“As a matter of fact, the senatorial meeting was to be called up to four or five times, he stopped it, he will postpone it. As we are talking, we have been everywhere in this state, especially here in Edo South where we are right now raising members for the party, ask him how many people he has attracted to this party.

“We are telling the national leadership of the party that enough is enough of John Oyegun, this was how he as the National Chairman of the APC and he was removed with ease, enough is enough, he cannot disrespect those who are building the party.”

Thereafter, A gun duel ensued at the meeting venue as the property of the former governor was attacked by yet-to-be identified hoodlums.

The health and welfare of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is a matter of grave concern to his family, friends, and associates, adding that this government will be held accountable if anything happens to him in detention.

He said the Federal Government owes Nigerians clarity and must state clearly which agency is holding him, whether the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the State Security Service (SSS), or any other arm of the security establishment.

“Secrecy in matters of detention only fuels suspicion. Nigerians deserve transparency,” he said, adding, “Whichever agency is responsible has a constitutional duty to guarantee his safety, dignity, access to medical care, and access to his family and legal representatives.”

“Reports that he suffered a nosebleed while family members were allegedly denied access are deeply troubling and unacceptable in a democracy.

“If the authorities cannot guarantee his health and fundamental rights, the lawful and humane course of action is to grant him bail without delay. If anything happens to El-Rufai, this government will be held accountable.

“More troubling, however, is the growing perception of selective prosecution, in which opposition figures are aggressively pursued while others are conspicuously shielded from investigation or interrogation. Anti-corruption must not become a political weapon.

“The continued detention of El-Rufai under unclear circumstances raises serious questions about motive. Anti-corruption cannot be credible when it appears partisan, coercive, or strategically timed.

“Justice must be transparent. Accountability must be even-handed. And the rule of law must apply to all; without fear, without favour, and without political bias.”