Chieftain of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ambassador Agbah Alex Tobore, has raised the alarm over alleged threats to his life and businesses following the 10,000-man rally organised by the party in Ughelli, Delta State.
Tobore, who spoke to newsmen yesterday after his business premises was sealed by the Ughelli North Local Government Council, alleged that the action was politically motivated and connected to his role in organising the rally.
He said the sealing of his business came barely a day after the march, adding that he had received warnings during the rally that he should be prepared for consequences over his support for the opposition party.
According to him, some individuals allegedly linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) contacted his wife during the rally and warned that he would face consequences for sponsoring the 10,000-man march.
“It was made known to me when the march was going on that someone called my wife and told her that her husband was sponsoring a 10,000-man march against the ruling party and that her husband should be prepared for the consequences,” he said.
Tobore said the subsequent sealing of his business premises strengthened his suspicion that the action was linked to the rally.
He, however, rejected the council’s explanation that the premises was sealed over alleged violations involving electricity infrastructure and failure to obtain necessary approvals.
“If they know that they gave me notice and they have proof, let them publish the copy that I acknowledged, or the copy that any of my staff acknowledged on my behalf,” he said.
The NDC chieftain also denied violating regulations relating to the branding of vehicles used for the rally, saying the branding was carried out on the morning of the event.
He argued that if the authorities believed the appropriate fees had not been paid, the vehicles should have been stopped and the necessary documents requested instead of sealing his business premises.
On the allegation that his premises was located close to a high-tension electricity line, Tobore disputed the claim, saying the line was a domestic electricity line supplying houses in the area.
He explained that the transformer located on his property was relocated there during the dualisation of the road.
Tobore said the rally organisers followed due process, noting that letters notifying security agencies of the event were sent to the police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
He added that the Area Commander in Ughelli was also informed and that he subsequently spoke with the Commissioner of Police, who, according to him, approved the security arrangements for the march.
The NDC chieftain said he had never had any confrontation with the ruling party or other political groups, describing himself as a peace-loving person.
He further alleged that threats had been made against his life and property before and after the rally, claiming that there was also an attempt to impound one of his trucks and set it ablaze because of its branding.
Tobore said the developments had left him concerned about his safety and the security of his businesses and properties.
“I am not safe and my properties are not safe because I am being victimised and oppressed by the powers that be.
“Federal Government and human rights organisations should intervene. I am being victimised because I belong to an opposition party,” he lamented.
