CONCORD ONLINE NEWS

Omoruyi  Hendrix Oliomogbe  Benin City witnessed a chilling episode of political violence when armed men stormed the residence of former Edo State Governor, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, during a high-profile political gathering. The attackers reportedly opened fire, leaving vehicles riddled with bullets and property damaged, in what observers describe as a suspected assassination attempt on former presidential candidate Peter Obi and other dignitaries present.   The sudden eruption of gunfire sent shockwaves through the gathering, forcing guests to flee in panic. Witnesses recounted scenes of confusion as leaders and supporters scampered for safety. Obi and several other political figures narrowly escaped harm, a fact that has intensified public concern about the rising tide of political intolerance in Nigeria.   Hon. Murphy Omoruyi, a prominent political voice, reacted with fury and deep concern. He condemned the attack as “a direct assault on democracy and a...

Omoruyi Hendrix Oliomogbe  More criticisms have continued to trail Tuesday's shooting by some unknown gunmen at the uptown Benin City, City, Edo State residence of former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun during a meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The latest is from a member of the House of Representatives for Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Constituency, Edo State Hon. Murphy Omoruyi and top member of the budding opposition party. The attackers reportedly opened fire, leaving vehicles riddled with bullets and property worth millions of Naira damaged, in what observers describe as a suspected assassination attempt on former presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi and other dignitaries present.   In a statement in Benin City, Hon. Omoruyi described the attack as “a direct assault on democracy and a dangerous escalation of political intolerance,” noting that the violence was not just aimed at individuals but at the very foundation of Nigeria’s democratic values....

Hendrix Oliomogbe  The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has vehemently condemned Tuesday, February 24, 2026 shootings at the Benin City, Edo State residence of Chief Odigie Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State during a meeting of the party's chieftains. Several vehicles' windscreens, parked outside the sprawling premises were destroyed in the hail of bullets but there was however no report of injury or fatality among the party chieftains, including Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election. Mr. Obi had recently defected to the budding ADC. A statement in Benin City by the zonal chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor and made available to journalists said that the shooting by some unknown gunmen at the ex-governor's residence in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of the Edo State capital, is outrageous and uncalled for. Dr. Isibor lamented that Edo State is not noted for such dastardly act, noting that it is cause for concer...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  The leadership of the Edo State chapter of Labour Party (LP) has vehemently disassociated itself from the defection of some members of the party to the budding Africa Democratic Congress (ADC). Speaking with journalists Monday, February 23, 2026 in Benin City, the state chairman, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi said that today's defection of the party's governorship candidate in the 2024 election, Mr. Olumide Akpata, his running mate, Mr. Asamah Kadiri and others to ADC does not involve the LP structure in Edo State. Flanked by the secretary, Comrade Frederick Akhere, Ogbaloi noted that the defection plot was carefully planned to deceive gullible followers and unsuspecting members of the public. While urging LP faithful to disregard the false narrative of the party collapsing its structure into ADC in the state, he added that the party structure in the state and all the 192 wards remains intact. He said: "The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) Edo State has obser...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  A leading chairmanship aspirant for this year's Local Government Council election in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Ms. Bosede Iruagbonemi Edgal has called on Christians to use the lent period to pray fervently for peace, tranquillity and smooth conduct of the forthcoming council poll. Ms. Edgal who joined the Catholic Christian faithful to evaluate the spiritual benefit of the Ash Wednesday which signals the commencement of the 40 days fasting, reminded that it was a period to abstain from unchastity, immoral acts, enmity and other heinous acts capable of impeding the speedy answers to prayers by God. She said: "The holy month of lent is very important to renew strength and deepens ones faith in the sanctity of Christ sacrifice on the cross." A trained nurse, the chairmanship hopeful reiterated her desire to work faithfully with all religious bodies no matter the denominations to promote, peace and tranquillity in Owan West if given the ...

         Ize-Iyamu (l) shaking hands with Prof. Omoregie after the inauguration  Hendrix Oliomogbe  In its quest to reposition the University of Benin (UNIBEN), authorities of the tertiary institution have instituted a Trust Development Fund Board of Trustees to carry out major Infrastructural and academic projects. The Trustee under the chairmanship of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is saddled with the responsibility of mobilizing and sourcing for fund for the development of the tertiary institution.  Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Prof. Shuaibu Umaru, said the tertiary institution has made history being the first university to establish and inaugurate a trust development fund in the country Prof. Umaru said the fund was born out of the idea that institutions all over the world need to harvest their largest asset which undoubtedly is the alumna. He noted that it is a global practice that alumna...

Sister Odunnukwe speaking at the mass Hendrix Oliomogbe  Determined to curtail the rising c tvases of human trafficking in Edo State, a group, Committee for the Support of the Dignity of Women (COSUDOW), has taken its crusade against the scourge to the church. Speaking to the congregation shortly after a Sunday mass on February 15, 2026 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Benin, the coordinator, Rev. Sr. Justina Odunnukwe admonished parents to keep a close tab on their children so that they will not fall prey to the antics of human traffickers. Rev. Sr. Odunnukwe decried the activities of human traffickers, noting that young and promising girls aged between 20 and 25 are the prime targets. The clergywoman said that the traffickers, with sugar coated tongues trick their victims with promises of an easy life of fame and mega fortunes in Europe, only for them to end up as prostitutes, subjected to the worst form of sex slavery. The coordinator lamented that most of the victims ended up ...