*Police Commence Investigation
*Asagba Disowns Warning Letter To Obi
THE Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Delta State Government, state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Epiphany Azinge, have condemned the violence that trailed NDC’s road procession on Saturday, November 7, in which one person was killed, several others injured and over 30 campaign buses destroyed.
The procession, organised by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement to galvanize support for next year’s general elections, suddenly became bloody when
armed me attacked the NDC supporters along the busy Nnebisi road in the state capital.
While the state Police Command said the organisers ignored its earlier security advice to shelve the road procession, during an engagement and briefing with them, following identified security threats indicating the likelihood of violence, NDC stated that it indeed complied with a Police directive not to assemble at Inter-Bau Junction in the state capital, noting that when the gathering commenced, a Police patrol van that was initially present disappeared before the masked attackers struck.
In his reaction to the incident, NDC senatorial candidate for Delta North and former speaker of the state House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to call his supporters to order.
Ochei, speaking during a media briefing at his campaign office, blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the incident, alleging that the attackers were mobilised by the ruling party and led by commercial tricycle operators acting under the supervision of a government task force official.
He stated: “I see no reason why the ruling party should descend so low as to mobilise people to attack the opposition. This is condemnable and unacceptable. If you are doing well as a party, come out and tell the people what you have achieved to merit re-election instead of resorting to intimidation.”
Ochei warned that Delta State was dangerously becoming a “theatre of bloodshed,” adding: “The governor should call APC members to order and ensure that this dastardly act is thoroughly investigated.
“Delta State should not be turned into a theatre of bloodshed.”
On his part, the state Coordinator of the OK Movement, Favour Emerue, lamented that an otherwise peaceful show of force was marred by violence, expressing disappointment over the security lapses that made it easy for the attacker to strike.
Emerue said the organisers did all that were required, including notifying the Police and meeting with the Commissioner of Police (CP) to arrange security, as well as complied with a directive not to assemble at Inter-Bau Junction.
He said: “This is not the democracy we fought for. Nigerians are ready to defend their votes in 2027 to ensure that the country works. No Deltan should lose his or her life because of an election.”
The organisers warned that they would hold Oborevwori personally responsible for the safety of opposition supporters, adding: “If any Delta resident lost their life as a result of political violence, the governor will be held responsible.”
Emerue also called on security agencies to prosecute those found culpable.
Both Ochei and Emerue stated that the attack was an attempt to stifle the opposition, because the ruling party lacks a record of performance to run on. Ochei urged the ruling party to engage in issue-based campaigns, rather than alleged thuggery.
On its part, the Delta State Government condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable, warning political parties and their supporters against actions capable of threatening public peace and security.
The government, in a statement by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, reiterated its zero tolerance for political violence, intimidation and other forms of political rascality, recalling that it had repeatedly cautioned political parties against engaging in activities capable of disrupting the peace
Aniagwu stressed that the incident could have been avoided if the organisers had heeded Police security advice to shelve the street march and instead hold their campaign at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.
The government expressed concern that the advice was ignored, resulting in a confrontation that claimed a life and left several others injured, urging Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that everyone found responsible is brought to justice.
Aniagwu warned that the state government would no longer tolerate politically motivated attacks against any individual, irrespective of party affiliation, stressing that Delta remained a safe place for residents and visitors, and the government would not allow the actions of individuals or groups to undermine the peaceful atmosphere in the state.
He called on political parties, their leaders and supporters to conduct their activities within the bounds of the law and demonstrate respect for human life, public order and the rights of other citizens.
In the same vein, the state APC Campaign Council strongly condemned the violence that trailed the procession.
Aniagwu, who doubles as Chairman of the Council’s Media Committee, in a separate statement, said APC was deeply saddened by reports of loss of life, injuries and destruction of property, adding: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the deceased, those injured and everyone affected by this regrettable development.
“No political ambition or disagreement is worth the life of any citizen, and no political contest should ever degenerate into violence.”
He added: As a council, we demand an impartial investigation into the unfortunate development, even as we insist that political disagreements must not degenerate to any form of intimidation, violence or destruction of property.
“It is important to reiterate that, from the very outset of our political mobilisation, particularly at the inauguration of the Delta State APC Campaign Council, our leadership made an unequivocal commitment to peaceful, responsible and issue-based campaigns. That commitment remains unwavering.
“Our campaign philosophy is anchored on presenting our achievements, programmes, vision and policy alternatives to the good people of Delta State, and we have no intention of deviating from that path.”
The statement call on the state Police Command to undertake a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the incident, identify all individuals involved, establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and bring anyone found culpable, including any sponsors or instigators, to justice, insisting that no individual should be shielded from the consequences of criminal conduct on account of political affiliation or influence.
Aniagwu reiterated the commitment of the campaign council to peaceful political engagement, issue-based campaigns and protection of the peace, security and collective interests of all residents of the state.
Already, the Police Command said it had commenced full-scale investigation into the incident, noting that upon receiving a distress call, Police operatives mobilised to the scene and took the injured victims to the hospital for medical attention.
The Command, in a statement by its spokesman, Bright Edafe (SP), said security was subsequently reinforced in the affected area to forestall further breakdown of law and order, while investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
He added: “The Commissioner of Police, Samuel E. Erale, condemns the violence and reiterates that political parties are free to conduct lawful campaigns and other political activities.
“He, however, advises all political parties and their supporters to avoid road processions in the interest of public safety and to liaise with the Police ahead of any political gatherings to facilitate adequate security arrangements.
“The CP assures residents of the Command’s commitment to a thorough and impartial investigation and urges anyone with useful information to contact the Command through phone numbers 09155570008 or 09155570007.”
Meanwhile, the Asagba has state that he did not write any letter to the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, warning him over the party bloody rally.
Azinge, in a statement by his chief of staff, Philips E. Nwokolo, on Sunday night, November 8, described the fake and generated by AI- letter as the handiwork the political jobbers
While disassociating himself from the letter, the statement said: “The Asagba of Asaba wishes to inform the general public that the said letter did not emanate from the throne and utterly condemns such malicious and despicable act which is believed to be the handiwork of political jobbers.
“His royal majesty had earlier granted a press conference where he made the position of the palace very clear. His royal majesty, in his press conference, condemned the acts of political intolerance that occurred yesterday (Saturday), as he maintained that Asaba, as the most peaceful capital city in Nigeria, is against violence of any sort, be it political or otherwise.
“His royal majesty admonished politicians and political parties to respect the wishes of the people at all times, while also advising political parties to seek adequate security protection before engaging in any rally or peace protest.
“Therefore, the false narrative that HRM berates Obi and his political pressure groups for being solely responsible for yesterday’s unrest, using Artificial Intelligence to produce fake palace letterhead and signature, shows how desperate some political actors have become and must be nipped in the bud by the appropriate quarters.
“Finally, the palace urges media persons and members of the public to disregard the said publication and place no value on it, as both the letter headed paper and signature therein are fake.”
