By George Ozalla
The camp of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has called for an immediate investigation into alleged attacks on his supporters in Delta State, accusing the state government of dismissing serious security concerns as political campaign tactics.
The call was made by Omo-Agege’s Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, in a statement responding to comments by the Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads and Public Information), Charles Aniagwu, during an appearance on Arise News.
Aniagwu had reportedly described the attacks on Omo-Agege’s supporters as a “campaign strategy,” while also questioning the former Deputy President of the Senate’s political message.
But Anaughe said the commissioner’s response was troubling, arguing that the appropriate reaction from a government official to reports of political violence should be condemnation, investigation and reassurance of citizens.
According to the statement, six supporters were injured on August 13 when armed men allegedly attacked members of Omo-Agege’s political group during a ward-to-ward engagement in Usiefrun, Ughelli South Local Government Area.
Anaughe said some of the injured persons required hospital treatment, describing the incident as an attack on people who had gathered peacefully to receive the senator’s team.
He alleged that another incident occurred on August 21 in Uvwie, where more than 50 armed men allegedly stormed and destroyed a venue prepared for a campaign meeting.
The statement further alleged that witnesses identified Emmanuel Erube as the leader of the group and that he threatened that Omo-Agege would be killed if the senator appeared for campaign activities in the area.
Anaughe said the allegations should not be dismissed as political rhetoric, stressing that there were injured persons, witnesses, a damaged venue and a named individual whose alleged involvement could be investigated.
He therefore called for an impartial investigation into the two incidents and the alleged threat against Omo-Agege.
Responding to Aniagwu’s claim that Omo-Agege had “no message,” Anaughe said the senator had spent months moving from ward to ward across Delta Central, meeting members of the National Democratic Congress, supporters and voters while presenting his programme.
He argued that political campaigns should be based on ideas and direct engagement with voters, rather than violence or intimidation.
The statement also raised questions about the management of public funds under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, with Anaughe alleging that more than N4 trillion had reportedly accrued to the state under the governor’s administration.
He said Deltans deserved clear explanations about the management of the funds, rather than arguments over whether Omo-Agege had a political message.
Anaughe also rejected the argument that Omo-Agege and Oborevwori were contesting different offices, saying that this did not address the allegations of threats against the former Deputy Senate President.
He said the more important question was whether a sitting governor, who is also the state’s Chief Security Officer, had any connection with an alleged order to eliminate Omo-Agege.
According to him, the allegation was a security and governance issue that required investigation, identification of those responsible and public disclosure of the findings.
The statement also criticised references to the Emevor-Orogun Road as a response to Omo-Agege’s criticisms of the state government.
Anaughe said the road had been promised by successive administrations, including those of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Oborevwori, and urged the government to complete it because of its importance to residents.
He, however, maintained that development projects could not be used to shield the government from questions concerning alleged political violence.
“A road doesn’t erase an attack. A construction project doesn’t answer for injured citizens. A television interview isn’t a substitute for an investigation,” Anaughe said.
He further faulted the description of Delta State as peaceful while alleged victims of the August attacks were still recovering and a campaign venue had been destroyed.
Anaughe said the Omo-Agege camp was not interested in a political confrontation but would continue to demand accountability over the incidents.
He called for an immediate investigation, in accordance with Nigerian law, into Erube and everyone alleged to have participated in the attacks, as well as investigations into whether anyone directed, financed or facilitated them.
He added that anyone found criminally responsible should be prosecuted, insisting that the people of Delta State had the right to participate in political activities without fear or intimidation.
