BENIN CITY, October 8, 2026 — The vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, on Thursday paid a surprise solidarity visit to Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, the 90-year-old father of the party’s Edo South senatorial candidate, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, following his controversial arrest by security operatives two days earlier.
Amaechi, who was in Benin City for an ADC town hall meeting, led a high-powered delegation to the elderly man’s country home in Amagba, on the outskirts of the Edo State capital.
The visit followed Tuesday’s incident in which armed security personnel reportedly arrived at Pa Iduoriyekemwen’s residence at about 4 a.m. and took him away, initially triggering fears of an abduction and generating widespread concern across Edo State.
The incident subsequently developed into a political controversy after Matthew Iduoriyekemwen alleged that security personnel connected to the office of Governor Monday Okpebholo were involved in the operation.
The Edo State Police Command later confirmed that the nonagenarian had been arrested in connection with a petition alleging criminal activities and subsequently released after interrogation. The allegations remain under investigation.
The Edo State Government denied involvement in any abduction but also condemned the circumstances of the arrest, describing the removal of a 90-year-old man from his residence at such an hour as unacceptable.
Accompanying Amaechi were former Edo State Governor and Chairman of the ADC Campaign Advisory Council, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senior Campaign Adviser to ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar; and Dr. Pedro Obaseki, Director of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council and Adviser on Policy and Strategy to Atiku Abubakar.
Others included Barrister Kenneth Imasuagbon, a prominent ADC leader in Edo Central, and Edo State ADC Chairman, Chief Clement Alile.
Amaechi addressed the gathering during the visit, while Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen also responded on behalf of the family.
The visit came amid growing political activities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections and renewed public debate over the conduct of security agencies, the protection of elderly citizens and allegations of intimidation involving opposition figures.
