The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has condemned the deadly political violence in Asaba, Delta State, as the state government and former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, continue to trade accusations over the incident, while commercial motorcycle operators have taken their protest to the Delta State Police Command headquarters, demanding justice for their colleague allegedly killed during the clash.
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The incident, which occurred on Saturday, November 7, 2026, along Nnebisi Road in Asaba during a political procession organised by the Obidient/OK Movement in support of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, reportedly left one person dead and several others injured.
Key Highlights
- PANDEF condemns political violence in Asaba, Warri and Calabar.
- Delta State Government blames rally organisers for allegedly ignoring police security advice.
- Ovie Omo-Agege accuses government-linked thugs of attacking NDC supporters.
- Okada and tricycle operators protest at the police headquarters over the death of their colleague.
- Police promise an investigation and urge protesters to provide useful evidence.
PANDEF Condemns Political Violence, Demands Investigation
PANDEF, in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, expressed concern over the recent incidents of political violence recorded in parts of the South-South region.
The organisation specifically cited the September 18 incident in the Warri/Effurun axis, the November 4 violence in Calabar, Cross River State, and the November 7 incident in Asaba, where a life was lost.
The regional socio-political organisation described the developments as a threat to peaceful coexistence in the Niger Delta, insisting that violence, intimidation and political thuggery are inconsistent with the values of tolerance and peaceful political engagement.
PANDEF called on political leaders, party supporters and other stakeholders to demonstrate maturity and sportsmanship in handling political disagreements.
It also warned political leaders against inflammatory statements and provocative actions capable of triggering violence, urging them to take responsibility for guiding their supporters.
The organisation particularly appealed to youths in the Niger Delta not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of political violence or intimidation.
PANDEF further urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security agencies to conduct thorough investigations, identify those responsible for the attacks and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
Delta Government, Omo-Agege Trade Accusations
The Asaba incident has triggered a war of words between the Delta State Government and Omo-Agege, who accused individuals allegedly linked to the state government of sponsoring the attack on NDC supporters.
The state government, through the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, condemned the violence but blamed the organisers of the procession for allegedly disregarding police security advice.
According to Aniagwu, the police had advised the organisers against conducting an open street procession and recommended that the campaign be moved to a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.
The government maintained that the confrontation could have been avoided if the organisers had followed the security advice.
However, Omo-Agege rejected the government’s position, alleging that armed thugs linked to the state government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) attacked members of the NDC campaign.
In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, the former deputy Senate president described the incident as an attack on opposition supporters.
Omo-Agege alleged that the procession began peacefully before armed individuals attacked participants, leaving several people injured and vehicles vandalised.
He also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and urged the authorities to ensure that political activities are conducted without intimidation.
The competing accounts have heightened concerns over political safety in Delta State as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the police investigation has yet to establish who carried out the attack or determine individual responsibility.
Okada Riders Protest at Delta Police Headquarters
Meanwhile, commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators in Delta State have protested at the headquarters of the Delta State Police Command in Asaba over the killing of their colleague during the political violence.
The protesters, operating under the Commercial Motorcycles and Tricycles Operators Association (COMTOA), demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the death of their member, identified as Chinaza Sunday.
The operators reportedly marched from Summit Road to the police headquarters, carrying placards and calling for justice.
They maintained that their colleague was carrying out his legitimate business when he was caught up in the violence.
During the protest, the association offered to provide video footage and other relevant information to assist investigators in identifying those responsible.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration, Philip Adejo, who addressed the protesters, assured them that the command would investigate the incident and work towards ensuring justice.
Adejo urged the association to provide credible information that could assist the investigation, while cautioning against taking the law into their own hands.
The protest has added pressure on the police to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and bring those responsible to account.
Read also:
- Asaba Political Violence: Delta COMTOA Members Protest Killing of Colleague, Demand Justice
- Delta Govt Condemns Political Violence In Asaba, Orders Investigation
- NDC Condemns Attack On Members, Supporters In Asaba, Demands Probe, Arrest Of Perpetrators
- Delta 2027: How the Political Field Is Lining Up as APC Consolidates Power, NDC Builds Opposition
Police Begin Investigation as Calls for Justice Grow
The Delta State Police Command had earlier confirmed that violence broke out around 12:15 p.m. on Saturday along Nnebisi Road during the political procession.
The police said five people were injured and taken to hospital, while investigations had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The command also maintained that it had received intelligence indicating the possibility of violence before the procession and had advised the organisers to use a designated venue instead of an open-road march.
The NDC, however, rejected the government’s and police’s explanations, demanding an independent investigation into the attack.
With PANDEF calling for urgent intervention, the state government and Omo-Agege maintaining opposing positions, and commercial transport operators demanding justice, attention is now focused on the police investigation.
The outcome will be important in determining what happened during the Asaba procession and whether those responsible for the death and injuries will be brought to justice.
As political activities continue ahead of the 2027 elections, stakeholders have been urged to discourage violence and ensure that disagreements are resolved through peaceful and lawful means.
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