The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria has warned political leaders in Delta Central against allegedly disrupting opposition political consultations, saying such actions could undermine democratic freedoms and bring the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori into disrepute.
The President of GOMEP-Nigeria, National, Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, gave the warning in a statement on Monday while reacting to reports of alleged disruptions of political gatherings in parts of Delta Central, including Usiephrun in Ughelli South and Abraka in Ethiope East.
Otiti urged political leaders and their supporters to allow opposition groups to conduct their meetings peacefully, stressing that political consultations, mobilisation and engagement with voters were legitimate components of democratic participation.
He questioned why political actors would allegedly seek to prevent opposition politicians from meeting their supporters, particularly when similar political activities had reportedly continued without disruption in other parts of the state.
“Why are we shaming the governor?” Otiti asked, arguing that political disagreements should be resolved through dialogue, persuasion and the ballot box rather than intimidation, violence or thuggery.
According to him, Delta North, which provided substantial electoral support for Governor Oborevwori’s emergence, did not witness opposition consultations being treated as a threat to the administration, while political activities had also continued in Delta South.
He said it was therefore inexplicable for political actors in Delta Central to allegedly attempt to stop opposition parties from consulting with their supporters.
The GOMEP president warned that such actions could create the impression that the governor or his administration condoned political intolerance, thereby damaging Oborevwori’s reputation and the democratic image of the state.
Otiti also expressed concern over reports of a recent political clash in which a serving commissioner was allegedly arrested and remanded, describing the development as a serious warning to the political class.
He urged politicians to learn from the experiences of other ethnic nationalities and avoid allowing political disagreements to degenerate into violence.
“Can’t we just learn from other ethnic nationalities?” he asked, while calling on APC leaders and other political stakeholders in Delta Central to restrain their supporters and reject violence against political opponents.
Otiti maintained that no political party had a monopoly over public spaces or the authority to determine who could hold a lawful political meeting.
He said the true measure of political strength should be the ability to persuade voters and win elections rather than intimidate opponents.
The GOMEP leader further appealed to Governor Oborevwori to ensure that the political atmosphere in Delta remained peaceful and democratic, warning that unchecked political violence could ultimately damage the administration, irrespective of who was responsible for individual incidents.
“Let everybody be allowed to consult, mobilise and campaign peacefully. The people of Delta deserve politics without intimidation, violence or thuggery,” he said.
Otiti urged all political parties and their supporters to place the peace and stability of Delta State above partisan interests, stressing that while political power was temporary, the consequences of violence could endure for generations.
