Former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, has accused the Delta State Government of allowing political violence to thrive following an attack on supporters of the Nigerian Democratic Congress in Asaba, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene before the situation worsens ahead of the 2027 elections.
Omo-Agege, the NDC candidate for Delta Central Senatorial District, also urged the police and other security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attack, which reportedly left several campaigners injured and one person dead.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, the former senator described the incident as barbaric, alleging that armed men attacked thousands of supporters participating in a peaceful procession organised by the Obidient/OK Movement in support of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso’s 2027 presidential ambition.
He alleged that the procession, which involved women, traders, artisans, youths and professionals, proceeded peacefully for about 20 minutes before armed men allegedly linked to elements in the state government and the All Progressives Congress attacked the participants. He blamed the alleged attack on the Oshimili South Keke Task Force/Revenue Collector, Chief Uche Ndu-Okafor.
According to him, more than 30 vehicles were vandalised, while over 10 supporters sustained serious injuries. He listed some of the injured as the movement’s state coordinator, Favour Emerure, Akpovegho Noah, Ifeoma Enuagwuna, Clinton Ossai, Obiora Anaekwe, Emmanuel Ngene and Ikechukwu Michael.
Omo-Agege said the police had confirmed one death during the incident, although he claimed available reports indicated that the deceased was among the alleged attackers. He demanded an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and ensure that anyone found culpable was prosecuted.
He further alleged that the Asaba incident was part of a recurring pattern of attacks on opposition supporters under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration, recalling reported incidents in Usiefrun, Uvwie, Warri and Effurun. He claimed that an attack on NDC supporters in Usiefrun on August 13 left six people injured, while another incident on August 21 involved the destruction of a venue prepared for a political meeting in Uvwie.
The former deputy Senate president also cited an alleged attack on a one-million-man march organised for the NDC candidate, Chris Iyovwaye, on September 18, claiming that participants were attacked at several locations in Warri and Effurun, leaving more than 100 people injured.
He alleged that a suspect, Collins Ogumashe, popularly known as Black Moses, was apprehended by residents with an AK-47 rifle and handed over to the police but was released the same day without being charged. Omo-Agege accused the state government of failing to ensure accountability for previous incidents, warning that the alleged failure to prosecute perpetrators could encourage further violence.
“That silence is why Asaba happened. You let thugs go free in August, you invite them back in September. You let them go free in September, you invite them back in November. Impunity always brings more violence,” he said.
He accused the governor of failing to protect opposition supporters, arguing that Oborevwori, as the state's Chief Security Officer, had a responsibility to guarantee the safety of all residents, irrespective of their political affiliations. He also alleged that opposition parties were being restricted from holding rallies, accessing public facilities and displaying campaign materials in the state.
Omo-Agege, who recalled that political parties operated freely under former governors James Ibori, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Ifeanyi Okowa, urged Tinubu to call Oborevwori to order. He also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to investigate the Asaba attack, arrest the alleged organisers and prosecute those found responsible.
He urged NDC supporters not to abandon their political activities because of intimidation, assuring them that the movement would continue to organise peaceful rallies and document any further attacks.
The former senator also appealed to youths in Delta State to reject recruitment into political violence, warning that they risked endangering their lives and future for the benefit of political sponsors.
He commended residents of Asaba, including traders, shop owners, artisans and other bystanders, for allegedly assisting the victims during the attack, insisting that the NDC would not be intimidated or prevented from exercising its democratic rights.
