By Our Correspondent, Asaba
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has accused the Delta State Government of presiding over a campaign of state-sponsored violence, after armed men attacked supporters of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) in Asaba, injuring more than ten people and damaging over thirty vehicles.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, the senator said thousands of residents had turned out peacefully on Tuesday to walk the streets and canvass support for the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections, led by the Obidient/OK Movement and carrying the message of Mr Peter Obi and Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso.
He said the procession had been “exactly what democracy should look like — peaceful, joyful, orderly” for about twenty minutes before thugs, said to be armed with dangerous weapons, descended on the unarmed campaigners.
The statement alleged that the attack was organised by Chief Uche Ndu-Okafor, identified as the Oshimili South Keke Task Force and revenue collector, and that the perpetrators were acting for “elements in the Delta State Government and the Delta State APC”.
Among those said to have been left “bleeding heavily” were the State Coordinator of the Obidient/OK Movement, Hon. Favour Emerure, as well as Mr Akpovegho Noah, Mrs Ifeoma Enuagwuna, Clinton Ossai, Mr Obiora Anaekwe, Emmanuel Ngene and Ikechukwu Michael.
The senator’s office said the police had confirmed one death, reported to be one of the attackers. “Even one death is one too many,” the statement said, demanding that the police identify the deceased, establish the circumstances of his death and prosecute “everyone who organised and sponsored this attack”.
The statement rejected any suggestion that the Asaba violence was an isolated incident, listing a series of earlier attacks. It said armed men attacked supporters gathered at Usiefrun in Ughelli South on 13 August, injuring six, and that more than fifty armed men stormed Uvwie on 21 August and destroyed a venue prepared for a campaign meeting.
It further alleged that a One Million-Man March for Deacon Chris Iyovwaye in Warri and Effurun on 18 September was ambushed at Angle Park, Uvwie junction, Ugborokoko, Jakpa Road and Urhuomarho, with more than one hundred people injured and taken to hospital.
The statement said citizens arrested a man, Collins Ogumashe, also known as ‘Black Moses’, recovered an AK-47 from him and handed him to the police — but that he was released the same day without charge.
“Governor Oborevwori promised an investigation. He promised prosecutions. He promised justice. Nothing happened. Not one person charged,” the statement said. “That silence is why Asaba happened… Impunity always brings more violence.”
Addressing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori directly, Senator Omo-Agege’s office said he remained the chief security officer of the state and could not “watch opposition supporters get shot, beaten and maimed, then hide behind careless press releases” issued by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu.
“Stop the barbarism; Deltans will not be intimidated by bloodletting,” the statement said. “Stop turning Delta into a battleground because you fear losing an election.”
The senator contrasted the present climate with previous administrations, saying opposition parties had campaigned “without let or hindrance” under James Ibori, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Ifeanyi Okowa, whereas now the opposition could not secure public facilities for rallies, was being denied billboards and posters, and faced threats against private venue owners.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “call Governor Oborevwori to order — now, before Delta descends fully into anarchy” — and urged the security agencies to provide protection for marches and roadshows, describing this as a constitutional right rather than a favour.
The statement also urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to arrest and prosecute all those involved, “including the alleged organiser, Chief Uche Ndu-Okafor”, rather than launching “another empty investigation”.
In a closing passage addressed to young people, the statement warned against being recruited as political thugs. “Do not trade your future for a few Naira and bottles of drinks,” it said, adding that the children of those who sponsor such violence “are enjoying themselves peacefully”, while only poorer young people were treated as “expendables to use for dirty jobs, to bleed and to die”.
The senator thanked Asaba residents — traders, shop owners, artisans and young people — who, he said, came out to shield the injured and chase off the attackers. “That is the real Delta: neighbours protecting neighbours.”
The statement ended with the slogans: “A New Nigeria is Possible. A Reset Delta Cannot Wait.”
The Delta State Government and the state police command had not responded to the allegations at the time of going to press.
