A prominent leader of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Edo State, Senator Rowland Owie, has denied allegations that the attack on the party’s secretariat and members was carried out by supporters of the party.

Owie also denied allegations suggesting his involvement in the disruption of the party’s political gathering on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in the state.

The former Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate stated this on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City.

He added that the attack was not connected to the minor disagreement within the party but was a coordinated assault allegedly perpetrated by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Describing the allegations as baseless and malicious, he said they were not only false but represented a clumsy attempt by the APC to deflect responsibility for the actions of its own organised thugs.

“The facts of the incident: During the event at the party secretariat, Senator Owie was actively participating as a keynote speaker, addressing a distinguished audience that included his maternal relative, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, as well as Mr. Peter Obi and other party faithful.

“The meeting was proceeding peacefully until security operatives alerted the leadership that known APC-affiliated thugs were mobilising to launch an assault on the venue. Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of all dignitaries and attendees, the meeting was brought to an immediate close.

“This marks the third instance where APC-aligned elements have orchestrated violence against the ADC, only to employ a ‘victim-blaming’ strategy by claiming the ADC attacked its own members.

“Senator Owie views this as a desperate gaslighting tactic intended to destabilise the growing momentum of the ADC in Edo State.

“In all my political life since 1979, when I was first elected into the House of Representatives, I have never been involved in violent politics. I have built a career in dialogue, legislative integrity, and service. I would not begin to tarnish a four-decade legacy now.

“To suggest that 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.

“Senator Owie and the ADC will not be intimidated. Our focus remains on providing a credible alternative for the governance of Edo State.

“Senator Rowland Owie is a veteran Nigerian legislator and elder statesman. Having served in the House of Representatives and the Senate, he remains a pivotal figure in the push for democratic transparency and grassroots development in Edo State and Nigeria at large,” the statement said.

The statement added that the ADC remains a party of peace and intellectual engagement and would refuse to be drawn into the trenches of thuggery.

He, however, called on the Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Agbonika, and relevant security agencies to investigate the identified APC elements who allegedly disrupted the gathering, rather than entertain fabricated petitions.

DAILY POST recalls that Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, had blamed the attack on the party’s internal crisis.

Okpebholo, in a statement personally signed and made available to newsmen by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, described the incident as an internal party crisis that was taken too far.