Fresh concerns over the rising wave of political violence in Delta State emerged on Wednesday after violence and gunshots reportedly disrupted a consultation meeting convened by former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, in Ughelli, just hours after the former lawmaker warned against escalating political unrest in the state.
Key Highlights:
- Violence and gunshots disrupted Omo-Agege’s consultation meeting in Ughelli.
- The disturbance reportedly broke out after the meeting ended.
- Sources alleged the clash was linked to a dispute over cash distribution.
- Several people were reportedly injured, but no deaths were confirmed.
- Security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The incident occurred at the Ughelli Kingdom Hall in Ughelli North Local Government Area, where Omo-Agege, the Delta Central Senatorial candidate of the New Democratic Congress (NDC), had met with party leaders, stakeholders and supporters as part of his consultations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development comes barely a day after Omo-Agege, in a statement issued on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, condemned the recent violence that disrupted an APC Delta Central stakeholders’ meeting at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, and alleged an emerging pattern of political violence in Delta State.
According to eyewitnesses, Wednesday’s violence broke out shortly after Omo-Agege departed the venue at the conclusion of the meeting.
Sources at the scene alleged that the disturbance stemmed from disagreements over the sharing of cash reportedly donated by the former Deputy Senate President to party structures.
One party supporter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that Omo-Agege allegedly approved a cash donation of ₦2.5 million for each ward, but some leaders and ward coordinators allegedly attempted to withhold part of the money instead of distributing it as expected among supporters.
“The Senator made the donation for the wards, but some leaders wanted to cut the money before sharing it. The supporters became angry when they got wind of it, and that was when everything got out of hand,” the source alleged.
When reporters arrived at the venue, supporters were seen fleeing in different directions amid the sound of gunfire.
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Eyewitnesses alleged that armed men suspected to be members of a local vigilante group fired several shots into the air in an apparent attempt to disperse the agitated crowd and restore order.
Although no deaths had been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report, several eyewitnesses claimed that a number of persons sustained injuries during the ensuing chaos.
Security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while the NDC leadership and Senator Omo-Agege’s campaign organisation had not publicly commented on the allegations surrounding the cash donation or the circumstances that led to the violence.
The latest disturbance has further heightened concerns over the tense political atmosphere in Delta State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The incident also comes against the backdrop of Omo-Agege’s recent call for security agencies to investigate political violence across the state. In the statement issued on Tuesday through his spokesman, the former Deputy Senate President had urged the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to thoroughly investigate recent attacks on political gatherings and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
With Wednesday’s violence occurring at his own political consultation meeting, attention is now expected to shift to the circumstances surrounding the Ughelli incident as security authorities begin to piece together what transpired.
