Omo-Agege Condemns Attack On NDC Million-Man March, Demands Investigation

Former Deputy President of the 9th Senate and Delta Central Senatorial Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has condemned the alleged attack on the party’s One Million-Man March in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.

Omo-Agege, in a statement issued on Saturday, described the march, led by the party’s governorship candidate, Chris Iyovwaye, as a peaceful and lawful expression of political support, alleging that the procession was attacked at different locations.

According to him, the march was initially scheduled to commence at Angle Park in Warri South Local Government Area but was moved after NDC members were allegedly told by persons identified as APC supporters that the location had been reserved for an APC rally.

He said that following discussions with the police, the NDC members moved to a junction around the Total filling station in Warri, where they were allegedly approached again by APC supporters who claimed that the government had instructed them not to allow the march to proceed through the area.

Omo-Agege said the procession subsequently moved towards a traffic-light junction in Uvwie, where he alleged that it was attacked by APC supporters.

He further alleged that the participants came under attack at Ugborokoko from different directions, with gunshots reportedly fired at the procession.

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According to him, the procession was also attacked on Jakpa Road, where a man identified as Collins Ogumashe, alias “Black Moses”, was allegedly disarmed of an AK-47 rifle and handed over to the police.

He said the violence continued at Urhuomarho, adding that more than 100 people were reportedly injured during the various incidents and were receiving treatment in hospitals.

Omo-Agege alleged that Ogumashe was a thug in Ugboroke who was allegedly tasked with attacking and disrupting NDC campaigns in Uvwie.

He further alleged that Ogumashe was apprehended with an AK-47 rifle and disarmed by human rights activist Efemena Umukoro before being handed over to the police.

The NDC chieftain, however, claimed that information reaching him indicated that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had ordered the Commissioner of Police to arrest Umukoro.

Omo-Agege said Governor Oborevwori must also take responsibility for the incident, stressing that as the Chief Security Officer of Delta State, he could not look away when citizens were allegedly attacked while exercising their democratic rights.

“The buck stops at his table,” he said.

He said Delta State had seen enough of political violence and warned against a return to a situation where thugs would determine where political parties could campaign, where they could hold rallies or which political voices could be heard.

Omo-Agege therefore called on the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the incident, including the alleged police inaction and the circumstances surrounding the apprehended suspect.

He said the investigation should determine who organised the alleged attack, who supplied any weapons used, who financed or sponsored the attackers and whether any political actors were involved.

“Anyone found culpable must face the law, regardless of political affiliation or position,” he said.

Omo-Agege also appealed to youths in the state not to allow themselves to be recruited, manipulated or used as instruments of political violence against fellow citizens or opposition parties.

He urged them to participate positively in the democratic process and demand accountability from those seeking their votes.

He said the NDC remained committed to peaceful and issue-based campaigns and would continue to engage the people of Delta State openly and peacefully.

“The NDC will not be intimidated,” he said, adding that political attacks would not take away the people’s democratic rights.

“The people have the right to choose, and that right must be protected,” Omo-Agege said.

The statement was signed by Omo-Agege in his capacity as the NDC Delta Central Senatorial Candidate and former Deputy President of the 9th Senate.