Statement on the Attack on NDC Campaigners in Asaba – Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR

Stop the Barbarism; Deltans Will Not Be Intimidated by Bloodletting

Yesterday in Asaba, thousands of ordinary Deltans came out for one simple reason: to walk peacefully and talk to their fellow citizens about the 2027 election. Women, traders, artisans, young people, professionals – led by the Obidient/OK Movement – filled the streets in good spirits, singing and carrying the message of Mr. Peter Obi and Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

2. For about twenty minutes, it was exactly what democracy should look like. Peaceful. Joyful. Orderly.
3. Then it changed.
4. Thugs, fully armed with dangerous weapons and allegedly acting for elements in the Delta State Government and the Delta State APC, descended on unarmed campaigners in their own capital city. The attack was allegedly organised by the Oshimili South Keke Task Force / Revenue Collector, Chief Uche Ndu-Okafor.
5. More than 30 vehicles were smashed. Over 10 of our members and supporters were left bleeding heavily, including the State Coordinator of the Obidient/OK Movement, Hon. Favour Emerure, Mr. Akpovegho Noah, Mrs. Ifeoma Enuagwuna, Clinton Ossai, Mr. Obiora Anaekwe, Emmanuel Ngene, Ikechukwu Michael and others.
6. Tragically, the Police have confirmed one death. Reports say the deceased was one of the attackers. Even one death is one too many. Whoever sent armed thugs into a peaceful march must answer for it. We demand the Police identify the deceased, tell us how he died, and prosecute everyone who organised and sponsored this attack.
7. Let us call it what it is. This was not politics. This was brazen terror, born out of fear of the NDC’s grip on the grassroots of Delta. Under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, bloodletting has become the norm.
8. And nobody should tell you Asaba was a one-off. It was not. This is the pattern now, and every Deltan knows it.
9. On August 13, in Usiefrun, Ughelli South, armed men attacked our people who had simply gathered to receive us. Six injured. Several ended up in hospital.
10. On August 21, over 50 armed men stormed Uvwie and destroyed the venue we had prepared for a campaign meeting.
11. Then September 18, Warri and Effurun. Our One Million-Man March for Deacon Chris Iyovwaye was ambushed at Angle Park, Uvwie junction, Ugborokoko, Jakpa Road, Urhuomarho. Gunshots rained like hell. Over 100 injured and rushed to hospital. Citizens arrested Collins Ogumashe, aka “Black Moses”, took an AK-47 off him, and handed him to the police.
12. What happened to Collins? He was released that same day. No charges. Nothing. He is walking free today, even though he was caught with an AK-47 shooting at marchers.
13. Governor Oborevwori promised an investigation. He promised prosecutions. He promised justice. Nothing happened. Not one person charged.
14. 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.
15. So let us speak plainly to Governor Oborevwori. You are the Chief Security Officer of this state. You cannot watch opposition supporters get shot, beaten and maimed, then hide behind careless press releases and conferences by your Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu. If you cannot protect Deltans, say it. If you will not punish thugs, say it. But don’t pretend you don’t see what is going on.
16. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, we call on you directly: stop the barbarism; Deltans will not be intimidated by bloodletting. Stop the attacks. Stop the shielding of thugs. Stop turning Delta into a battleground because you fear losing an election. Deltans will not bow to fear. Deltans will not run from their own streets. No amount of bloodletting will silence the will of the people.
17. We have never seen this in Delta State. Never.
18. Under James Ibori, under Emmanuel Uduaghan, and even under Ifeanyi Okowa, opposition parties campaigned freely – without let or hindrance.
19. Under Sheriff Oborevwori, that freedom is gone. Today, we cannot get public facilities for our rallies. Private owners are threatened into shutting their doors to us. We cannot even put up billboards and posters. Now they want to stop us from even doing road shows.
20. We won’t let that happen.
21. We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Governor Oborevwori to order – now, before Delta descends fully into anarchy.
22. And we call on the security agencies to do their job: give us security to march and to do road shows. That is not a favour. It is our constitutional right.
23. This is not Delta. This is not democracy. This is tyranny by thuggery. Elections will not be won with machetes instead of ideas. Government-sponsored violence will not decide the outcome of elections in Delta State.
24. We therefore call on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the DSS – not for another empty “investigation” – but to arrest and prosecute everyone involved in this attack, to the full extent of the law. That must include the alleged organiser, Chief Uche Ndu-Okafor.
25. Who sent the thugs to Asaba? Who sent them to Warri? Who gave Black Moses an AK-47? Who is bankrolling this war against the opposition and the electorate of Delta State? Deltans deserve answers. And they will get them at the ballot box.
26. To our supporters: Don’t run. Don’t hide. Don’t hand the streets over to thugs. We are Deltans in our own land. We will guard our rallies, record every attack, name every attacker, and answer them with a wave of votes they cannot stop.
27. And to our youths: Do not allow yourselves to be used as thugs. Do not trade your future for a few Naira and bottles of drinks. Look closely – the children of those who, out of serious fear of assured losses in free and fair elections, use you as tools of reckless political violence, are enjoying themselves peacefully. They are safe and well cared for. It is only your brothers, your friends, and your own children that they consider wayward expendables to use for dirty jobs, to bleed and to die. Refuse to be used. Choose a better future for yourselves. Reject their violence.
28. And to the ordinary people of Asaba – bystanders, shop owners, traders, artisans, and above all the youths – thank you. When the thugs struck, you came out. You protected your fellow citizens. You shielded the injured. You chased the attackers off. Without your courage, yesterday would have been far worse. That is the real Delta: neighbours protecting neighbours.
29. We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. We will not hand Delta over to thugs.
30. A New Nigeria is Possible. A Reset Delta Cannot Wait.

Godwin Anaughe
Special Adviser, Strategy and Communications to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege

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