Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications to the Delta Central senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Godwin Anaughe, has called on security agencies to immediately investigate and prosecute persons allegedly involved in attacks on Omo-Agege’s supporters and the destruction of a campaign venue in Delta State.
Anaughe, who made the call in a statement made available to journalists in Warri, also urged security agencies to investigate alleged threats to the life of the former Deputy President of the Senate and determine whether the attacks were directed, financed or facilitated by any individual or group.
He specifically mentioned one Emmanuel Erube as allegedly being among those involved in the incidents, urging authorities to establish the facts and take appropriate legal action where evidence of criminal responsibility is established.
“We’re calling for an immediate investigation, in line with Nigerian law, into Emmanuel Erube and everyone alleged to have taken part in these attacks,” Anaughe said.
“If the evidence points to criminal responsibility, those responsible should be prosecuted. We’re also calling for a full investigation into the threats against Senator Omo-Agege, and into whether anyone directed, financed, or facilitated the attacks.”
The statement was also a response to comments attributed to the Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads and Public Information), Ehiedu Charles Aniagwu, during an interview on Arise News.
According to Anaughe, there was a need for the government and security agencies to focus on the alleged incidents rather than engage in political arguments over Omo-Agege’s campaign message.
He alleged that armed men attacked members of the Omo-Agege campaign team on August 13 during a ward-to-ward engagement in Usiefrun, Ughelli South Local Government Area, leaving six people injured.
He further alleged that on August 21, more than 50 armed men stormed and destroyed a venue prepared for a campaign meeting in Uvwie, adding that witnesses allegedly identified Erube as the leader of the group and claimed that threats were issued against Omo-Agege.
“These allegations deserve a real, impartial investigation — not a shrug,” he said.
Anaughe rejected Aniagwu’s reported argument that Omo-Agege “has no message”, saying the senator had been engaging party members, supporters and voters across Delta Central.
“For months, he’s been going ward to ward across Delta Central, meeting NDC members, supporters, and voters, laying out his programme directly to the people.
“That’s what a campaign is supposed to look like: ideas, engagement, and letting voters decide. Not violence. Not denial,” he stated.
He also accused the state government of failing to adequately address questions raised by Omo-Agege over the management of public funds, including revenue allegedly accruing to the state under the present administration.
Anaughe said the issues raised by Omo-Agege should be addressed through open political debate rather than being dismissed as a question of campaign messaging.
He also dismissed arguments that the political ambitions of Omo-Agege and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori were different, saying the central issue was the alleged threats and attacks involving the former deputy president of the Senate and his supporters.
“The real issue, still unanswered, is that a sitting Governor who also serves as Delta State’s Chief Security Officer has been credibly linked to a standing order to eliminate a former Deputy President of the Senate.
“That’s not a campaign footnote. That’s a security and governance question, and it deserves a real answer: investigate it, name those responsible, and make it public,” he said.
On the Emevor-Orogun Road, Anaughe said successive administrations had made commitments concerning the project, insisting that development projects should not be used to deflect attention from allegations of political violence.
“Finish the road — people need it. But a construction project isn’t a shield against allegations of political violence.
“No government gets to point at a road with one hand while armed men roam free with the other. Development and security aren’t a trade-off. Deltans shouldn’t have to accept one in place of the other,” he added.
Anaughe maintained that allegations of attacks on political supporters should concern all residents, irrespective of political affiliation.
He faulted what he described as attempts to portray Delta State as peaceful while alleged victims of political violence were still recovering and a campaign venue had reportedly been destroyed.
“Calling Delta State ‘peaceful’ while our supporters are still recovering from an armed attack, and our campaign venue lies in ruins, isn’t just inaccurate — it’s insulting. To the injured. To their families. To every Deltan being asked to nod along,” he said.
He further alleged that Aniagwu did not directly deny the reported attacks but instead focused on Omo-Agege’s political message.
“Instead of condemnation, Deltans got deflection. And when the response to ‘our people were attacked, and I was marked for death’ is ‘he’s just seeking attention,’ you know the conversation has shifted — away from Omo-Agege, and toward whatever the government would rather not answer,” Anaughe said.
He stressed that the NDC campaign was not interested in a “political mud fight”, but would continue to demand accountability and the protection of citizens participating in political activities.
“The people of Delta State have a right to take part in politics without fear or intimidation. They deserve a government that takes political violence seriously — no matter which party it touches,” he said.
Anaughe called for an impartial investigation into the allegations, saying the outcome should be made known to the public.
“Until these incidents are properly investigated and the public gets real answers, no press appearance, campaign slogan, or road commissioning is going to make the underlying questions go away,” he added.
Omo-Agege had recently alleged that suspected armed thugs attacked his supporters and disrupted his campaign activities in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area.
He also raised concerns over alleged threats to his life, urging the federal government and security agencies to hold Governor Oborevwori responsible should anything untoward happen to him, members of his family or supporters.
The allegations remain claims by the Omo-Agege campaign team and have not been independently established in the information provided.
