Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council have condemned the violence that disrupted a political procession organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Asaba, the state capital, with Omo-Agege accusing government and APC-linked elements of sponsoring the attack.

Delta State Government also denounced the incident, describing it as unacceptable and ordering a thorough police investigation.

The violence, which occurred on Saturday, on Nnebisi Road, left one person dead, several others injured and more than 30 vehicles damaged.

Omo-Agege, in a statement through his Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, alleged that armed thugs acting for elements in Delta State Government and APC attacked unarmed supporters of the Obidient/OK Movement during a peaceful road procession in support of NDC presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

He said: “For about twenty minutes, it was exactly what democracy should look like. Peaceful. Joyful. Orderly. Then it changed.”

According to the statement, more than 10 NDC supporters sustained injuries, while the vehicles conveying campaigners were vandalised.

Among those allegedly injured were the State Coordinator of the Obidient/OK Movement, Favour Emerure; Akpovegho Noah; Ifeoma Enuagwuna; Clinton Ossai; Obiora Anaekwe; Emmanuel Ngene and Ikechukwu Michael.

The statement said the police had confirmed one death, adding that reports indicated the deceased was allegedly one of the attackers.

Omo-Agege described the incident as “brazen terror, born out of fear of the NDC’s grip on the grassroots of Delta” and accused Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration of allowing political violence to thrive through alleged failure to prosecute previous offenders.

He recalled alleged attacks on NDC supporters in Usiefrun, Ughelli South, on August 13; Uvwie on August 21; and Warri and Effurun on September 18, claiming that several people were injured in the incidents.

He also alleged that a man identified as Collins Ogumashe, popularly known as Black Moses, was arrested by residents during the September 18 incident with an AK-47 rifle, but released without prosecution.

The former deputy Senate president accused the state government of failing to fulfil its promise to investigate the earlier incidents and prosecute those responsible.

He said: “That silence is why the Asaba incident 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.”

Omo-Agege called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution Oborevwori, while urging the Inspector-General of Police and Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the latest violence.

He also demanded investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, insisting that political supporters must be allowed to campaign without intimidation.

However, Delta APC Campaign Council condemned the violence and called for an impartial investigation, expressing sadness about the reported death, injuries and destruction of property.

In a statement by its Chairman of Media and Publicity Committee, Charles Aniagwu, the council extended its sympathies to the family of the deceased and others affected by the incident.

It said: “No political ambition or disagreement is worth the life of any citizen, and no political contest should ever degenerate into violence.”

The council said its campaign activities had been anchored on peaceful, responsible and issue-based engagement, noting that it had no intention of deviating from that commitment.

“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,” it said.

The state government, through Aniagwu, who is also the commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, said the police had advised the organisers to shelve the proposed street march and instead hold their campaign at a designated venue where adequate security could be provided.

It regretted that the advice was ignored, resulting in the deadly confrontation, and reiterated its zero tolerance for political intimidation and violence.

The government urged political parties and their supporters to respect the law, warning that it would not tolerate politically-motivated attacks against anyone.

It called for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and bring all those responsible to justice. (The Nation)