Former Deputy President of the Senate and Delta Central senatorial candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has condemned the sealing of the business premises of Amb. Tobore Alex Agbah by the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Jaro Egbo.

In a press statement issued on October 5, 2026, and personally signed by him, the Senator said:

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the unlawful, the vindictive and cowardly sealing of the business premises of Amb. Tobore Alex Agbah by the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Jaro Egbo.”

Omo-Agege linked the action to a recent political rally in the area. According to him:

“This shameful act is coming less than 24 hours after Amb. Agbah led the historic, peaceful and highly successful NDC 10,000-man march in Ughelli. That march was lawful. It was orderly. It was the authentic voice of our people speaking freely.”

He described the response of the council chairman as an abuse of power, stating:

“To respond to such a legitimate democratic expression with brute force and abuse of state power is political gangsterism and executive rascality of the worst order.”

The Senator argued that the sealing violates constitutional rights, noting:

“Let it be clearly understood: the right to peaceful assembly and the right to own and operate a business premises are guaranteed under Sections 40 and 43 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. No local government chairman has the power to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He further questioned the chairman’s legitimacy:

“If a chairman feels threatened by his own people marching peacefully in their own town, then he has lost the moral legitimacy to lead them.”

Omo-Agege maintained that the action is unlawful, saying:

“Sealing a citizen’s business premises for organising a peaceful political rally is illegal, unconstitutional, and an impeachable abuse of office.”

In the statement, he issued three demands:

“I therefore demand as follows:

* immediate and unconditional unsealing of Amb. Agbah’s business premises;

*public apology from the Chairman to Amb. Agbah and to the 10,000 Deltans whose democratic will he has insulted;

* I call on His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, and the Delta State House of Assembly to urgently restrain the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area before his intolerance plunges the local government into avoidable crisis.”

The NDC Delta Central Senatorial District candidate warned that the council Chairman’s action and overreach would not suppress dissent:

“Let me warn the Chairman: you can seal a building, but you cannot seal an idea. You cannot seal the resolve of the people of Ughelli North. This act of intimidation will only strengthen our movement and embolden our people.”

He declared solidarity with Agbah, stating:

“I stand solidly with Amb. Tobore Alex Agbah and with every Deltan who believes in freedom, justice and democracy.”

He concluded the statement saying:

“The march has only just begun.”

*Sunny Areh*

Media Adviser to Senator Omo-Agege