Video of Governor's aide attacked raises worries for 2027 elections

A video has surfaced showing Simon Mudi, a protocol aide to Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, being chased and hit with bottles and chairs at a political meeting. This incident has raised fears about the safety of political activities in Delta State as the 2027 general elections approach.

The footage, shared on Facebook on Tuesday by former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, shows chaos breaking out during an All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta Central leaders and stakeholders' meeting at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre in Effurun on Sunday.

The exact reason for the attack has not been confirmed. But the violence raises alarms that political tensions may increase as parties start preparing for the elections.

The video shows people running away as several men chased Mr Mudi, also known as "Temple." They struck him on the head with bottles and threw chairs at him while he tried to get away.

Later in the clip, Mr Mudi is seen in an APC-branded safari outfit receiving treatment in a hospital. He has visible bruises and a bloodied head.

‘Political thuggery, plain and simple’

Mr Omo-Agege, who recently switched from the APC to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said the incident shows a growing trend of political violence in the state.

In a statement through his spokesman, Godwin Anaughe, he called the attack “political thuggery.” He 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 proof, that the attackers were backed by someone. He also connected Sunday’s violence to a previous attack on NDC governorship candidate Chris Iyovwaye, who he said was stopped by thugs from entering his hometown of Agholokpe.

He claimed both events are linked and said the APC is planning “a coordinated campaign of violence and intimidation” before the 2027 elections to silence opposition.

The former deputy Senate president urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, and the State Security Service to look into the incidents. He asked them to prosecute those involved and ensure a peaceful political climate ahead of the elections.

Delta government, APC dismiss claims

The Delta State Government has rejected these claims, saying the incident should not be used for political gain.

In a chat with PREMIUM TIMES, the Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, said Governor Oborevwori has 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,” he said.

Mr Aniagwu also stated, “As I speak, the governor has asked the security agencies to investigate the matter and bring anybody who is involved to book.” He dismissed claims that the incident was state-sponsored 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.”

The Delta APC also distanced itself from the violence. In a statement signed by its spokesman, Valentine Onojeghuo, the party called Mr Omo-Agege’s claims “falsehood.” They insisted their stakeholders’ meeting was peaceful 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 unbiased investigation into the attack, the party urged Mr Omo-Agege to provide evidence supporting his claims to security agencies instead of “resorting to media trials.”

The police spokesman in the state, Bright Edafe, did not reply to calls or messages from PREMIUM TIMES seeking updates on the investigation.