UGHELLI, DELTA — 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.
Omo-Agege, in a statement personally signed and issued on Monday, October 5, 2026, described the action as “tyranny and executive lawlessness,” alleging that it was connected to a political rally recently organised in Ughelli.
According to the former Senate leader, the business premises were sealed less than 24 hours after Agbah led what he described as a “historic, peaceful and highly successful” 10,000-man march in Ughelli.
Omo-Agege said the rally was lawful and orderly, describing it as an expression of the people’s democratic rights.
He accused the council chairman of abusing his office by allegedly responding to the rally with what he termed “brute force and abuse of state power.”
The former deputy Senate president further argued that the action violated constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful assembly and ownership of property.
“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,” Omo-Agege said.
He maintained that a local government chairman had no authority to override the Constitution, adding that sealing a citizen’s business premises over participation in a peaceful political rally amounted to an “illegal, unconstitutional and impeachable abuse of office.”
Omo-Agege also questioned the moral authority of the council chairman to lead the people, alleging that the action reflected intolerance toward political dissent.
The Delta Central senatorial candidate called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of Agbah’s business premises and demanded a public apology from the council chairman to Agbah and those who participated in the rally.
He also appealed to the Delta State Governor and the State House of Assembly to intervene and restrain the Ughelli North council chairman from actions that could, in his words, plunge the local government into an avoidable crisis.
Omo-Agege warned that the alleged attempt to intimidate Agbah and supporters of the movement would not suppress their political activities.
“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,” he said.
He expressed solidarity with Agbah and others who, according to him, believe in freedom, justice and democracy.
“The march has only just begun,” Omo-Agege declared.
Sunny Areh
Media Adviser to Senator Omo-Agege
