BY DANIEL EDOBOR
OKADA – Panic and uncertainty have continued to grip Okada community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State following a chilling assassination attempt on Mr Fred Iredia, a prominent figure of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), shortly after a political stakeholders’ meeting held in the build-up to the forthcoming elections.
The incident, which occurred late at night after the meeting convened by opposition figures on February 2, 2013 to strategise ahead of the polls and review grassroots mobilisation and security concerns, has further inflamed tensions in the community, already on edge after Iredia was declared wanted late last month.
Sources revealed that the attack took place as the ACN chieftain was returning from the closed-door session when armed men reportedly trailed his movement before launching a coordinated assault.
He was said to have escaped by a whisker after seeking refuge in a nearby residence, as the assailants opened fire and unleashed violence in what residents described as a calculated attempt to eliminate him.
Residents and political observers say Iredia’s life remains in grave danger, pointing to a pattern of intimidation and targeted threats against opposition figures in the locality, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the elections.
His rising profile within the ACN, as well as his vocal criticism of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led structure in the area during the earlier meeting, are believed to have made him a marked man.
Several of his supporters who attended the meeting have reportedly gone into hiding, while others are said to be reconsidering their political involvement for fear of reprisals as the election season gathers momentum.
Community leaders have condemned the assassination attempt, describing it as an attack not just on an individual, but on democratic principles, especially at a time when political actors are expected to freely engage and canvass support.
They warned that the targeting of opposition voices threatens to erode political plurality and deepen a culture of fear, where dissent is violently suppressed in the run-up to the elections.
Meanwhile, calls have intensified for security agencies to step in decisively and restore confidence among residents, ensuring a level playing field for all political actors ahead of the polls.
Efforts to reach local PDP officials for comments yielded no response, although some party sympathisers have continued to deny any links to the violence.
Nonetheless, the atmosphere in Okada remains tense, with increased security presence failing to fully reassure residents who accuse authorities of reacting too slowly to unfolding threats.
