…accuses Gov Obororevori, APC
Delta State politics took a dangerous turn on Thursday after Senator Ovie Omo-Age alleged that armed men tried to assassinate him in Usiefrun, Ughelli South Local Government Area, in what he described as the latest evidence of a coordinated campaign of violence by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.
In a press statement issued Friday, August 14, the Deputy President of the 9th Senate and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Delta Central Senatorial District candidate, said the attack targeted him, NDC Governorship Candidate, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, and other party leaders during a ward-to-ward tour of Delta Central.
“Yesterday, Thursday, August 13, 2026, armed men affiliated with the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, attempted to take my life in Usiefrun, Ughelli South LGA,” Omo-Agege alleged in a statement obtained by our correspondent.
He continued: “They also targeted Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, our NDC Governorship Candidate, and other members of the NDC leadership in Delta. Thankfully, by God’s grace, they failed.”
According to the statement, the gunmen opened fire on NDC members who had gathered to welcome the delegation. Six party members were injured in the shooting.
The ex-deputy Senate President named five of the victims as Mr. Believe Biadoyo, Mr. Joshua Oghenetega Oyibocha, Owhos Peter, Ojiyovwin Dennis and two others whose identities were not disclosed.
Omo-Agege stated further that the Usiefrun incident was not isolated. He referenced a public alarm he raised on July 29, 2026, warning of rising political violence in Delta ahead of the 2027 elections.
“On July 29, 2026, I raised the alarm about the rising violence in Delta. It was no longer a series of isolated incidents,” he said.
The NDC Senatorial candidate cited the attack on Hon. Temple Mudi at PTI Effurun and an earlier assault on Deacon Chris Iyovwaye in Agholokpe. “Today, that warning has come to pass.”
“Agholokpe happened. Effurun happened. Now Usiefrun. This is a pattern. Our warning has become evidence,” the former deputy Senate President added.
The statement identified four persons as the alleged masterminds of the Usiefrun attack, based on what Omo-Age called eyewitness accounts and video evidence. They are: Hon. Simon Mudi a.k.a “TEMPLE,” described as Protocol Officer to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; Mr. Flash Oghenetega Origbon; Mr. Ochuko Origbon; and Mr. Alex Awherhurho.
“All of them are members of the APC in Delta State,” the statement alleged.
Omo-Agege noted the irony that Mudi was reported as a victim in the PTI Effurun incident “just days ago,” and is now named as a principal suspect.
“This confirms what we said on July 29, 2026: a party that cannot control its own members cannot be trusted with the safety of Deltans. This is no longer politics. It is a well-orchestrated campaign of violence and attempted murder,” he said.
The NDC candidate listed four demands. He called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Simon Mudi, Flash Origbon, Ochuko Origbon, and Alex Awherhurho. He also asked the Delta State Government to suspend and hand over to police any appointee connected to the attack.
Further, he urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Inspector General of Police to treat the Agholokpe, Effurun, and Usiefrun incidents as one connected case. He also called on INEC, civil society organizations, and the international community to “recognize that Delta Central is unsafe and deploy observers now.”
Omo-Agege directly addressed Governor Oborevwori, warning: “You have 48 hours to condemn this attack and ensure arrests are made. Silence will be seen as complicity”.
Despite the attack, Omo-Agege said the NDC would not suspend its grassroots mobilization. “We refuse to be intimidated or silenced. Our ward-to-ward visits across Delta Central Senatorial District will continue,” he said.
He appealed to NDC members and other residents to remain calm. “To the NDC family and all peace-loving Deltans: Do not retaliate. Do not live in fear. We will continue to reach every ward. Violence will not stop us. We will win on our ideas and our record, because Delta deserves capable leadership.”
As of press time, the Delta State Government, the State Police Command, and the APC in Delta state had not issued a formal response to the allegations.
The incident adds to growing concerns about political tensions in Delta state ahead of 2027, with opposition parties alleging a climate of intimidation and the ruling party previously denying any involvement in violence.
