Asaba rally turns deadly as Delta govt, Omo-Agege trade blame
Political tensions in Delta State, Nigeria, have escalated following a deadly clash at an NDC campaign rally in Asaba. The state government and opposition candidate Ovie Omo-Agege have traded blame over the violence and security protocols.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing political instability and the risk of electoral violence in the region.
THE Delta State Government and the Delta Central Senatorial candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, have traded accusations over the violence that erupted in Asaba on Saturday during a campaign rally by supporters of the party, leaving one person dead, several others injured and more than 30 vehicles vandalised.
While the state government blamed the organisers of the rally for allegedly disregarding security advice from the police, Omo-Agege accused government-sponsored thugs of attacking the campaigners.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, in a statement, condemned the violence, describing the incident as unfortunate and warning that the government would not condone political violence or thuggery in the state.
Aniagwu said the police had advised the organisers to shelve the proposed street march and relocate their campaign to a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.
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