A disturbing video showing Simon Mudi, a protocol aide to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, being chased and repeatedly struck with bottles and chairs at a political meeting has intensified concerns about the safety of political activities in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The footage, posted on Facebook on Tuesday by former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, captures scenes of chaos after violence erupted during an All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta Central leaders and stakeholders' meeting at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre in Effurun on Sunday.
While the immediate trigger for the attack could not be independently confirmed, the incident underscores growing fears that political tensions may spiral as parties begin to position themselves for the 2027 polls.
Attack Details
In the video, participants are seen fleeing in panic as several men pursue Mr Mudi, also known as "Temple," striking him on the head with bottles and hurling chairs at him while he tries to escape. Later footage shows Mr Mudi, wearing an APC-branded safari, receiving treatment in a hospital with visible bruises and a bloodied head.
The attack has been widely condemned, with many calling for a thorough investigation to prevent further escalation of political violence in the region.
Omo-Agege Condemns Violence
Mr Omo-Agege, who recently defected from the APC to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), described the incident as “political thuggery” and a reflection of an emerging pattern of violence in Delta State politics.
In a statement issued through his spokesman, Godwin Anaughe, the former deputy Senate president said: “A meeting of leaders from a registered political party was violently broken up, and a serving government official was assaulted with dangerous weapons in broad daylight. That this could happen at all says something deeply troubling about where Delta State's politics is headed.”
Mr Omo-Agege alleged, without providing evidence, that the attackers were sponsored. He also linked the violence to an earlier alleged attack on the NDC governorship candidate in the state, Chris Iyovwaye, who he claimed was prevented by hoodlums from entering his hometown of Agholokpe.
He asserted that both incidents were connected, accusing the APC of preparing “a coordinated campaign of violence and intimidation” ahead of the 2027 elections to suppress opposition strongholds. He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Delta, and the State Security Service to investigate the incidents, prosecute those responsible, and ensure a peaceful political environment before the next general election.
Government and APC Respond
The Delta State Government, however, dismissed the allegations, insisting that the incident should not be exploited for political purposes. Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, the Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, said Governor Oborevwori had already instructed security agencies to investigate the violence.
“First of all, they must know that it is not everything they should use in playing politics. When there are serious issues that concern our state, anybody who says he is a statesman… must distinguish politics from other issues,” Mr Aniagwu said. He added: “As I speak, the governor has asked the security agencies to investigate the matter and bring anybody who is involved to book.”
Mr Aniagwu also dismissed suggestions that the incident amounted to state-sponsored political intimidation. “How can they say it is intimidation? The person that was injured is a government official. So, is the government intimidating its official? We are not even accusing them of being the one who stirred it up because the security agencies are yet to come up with their investigation,” he explained.
The Delta APC similarly distanced itself from the violence. In a statement signed by its spokesman, Valentine Onojeghuo, the party described Mr Omo-Agege's claims as “falsehood,” insisting its stakeholders' meeting was conducted peacefully and that the violence had “absolutely nothing to do” with the event.
“It is unfortunate that Omo-Agege has chosen to exploit the regrettable incident… by peddling a concocted narrative of political thuggery allegedly orchestrated by the APC. Nothing could be further from the truth,” the statement said.
While welcoming an impartial investigation into the attack, the party challenged Mr Omo-Agege to submit any evidence supporting his allegations to security agencies instead of “resorting to media trials.”
The police spokesman in the state, Bright Edafe, did not respond to calls or a WhatsApp message from PREMIUM TIMES seeking updates on the investigation.
