Delta State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, has condemned the sealing of the business premises of an NDC member, Amb. Tobore Alex Agbah, by the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Jaro Egbo. Iyovwaye described the action as an alleged act of political intimidation, claiming that Agbah's business was sealed because he organised a 10,000-man march in support of the NDC and against the policies of the ruling administration.
According to Iyovwaye, Agbah's business was sealed over his political activities, specifically the peaceful 10,000-man march he organised in support of the NDC. Iyovwaye questioned why Agbah's business premises should be sealed over his political activities, noting that the march was peaceful and did not involve any violence or destruction of property. Agbah is a businessman from Ughelli North who built his enterprise from scratch and employs residents of the area.
Iyovwaye alleged that the sealing of the premises was politically motivated rather than linked to any genuine planning or regulatory violation. He called on Egbo, whom he noted was a lawyer, to follow due process if there were legitimate planning concerns involving the property. Iyovwaye urged Egbo to serve notice, give time, and go to court if necessary, rather than sealing the premises without following proper procedure.
The NDC candidate urged Egbo to remember that his office was responsible for all residents of Ughelli North, regardless of their political affiliations. Iyovwaye also called on the Delta State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to examine what he described as an alleged abuse of the rule of law. He further appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene in the matter, saying the governor should ensure that local government officials do not use their positions to intimidate political opponents.
Iyovwaye warned that failure to address the incident could create the perception that the sealing had the backing of the state government. He said that if the governor keeps quiet on this issue, then every Deltan will know that this was sanctioned from Asaba. Iyovwaye's statement comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties and aspirants already mobilising supporters across Delta State.
Iyovwaye said the incident reinforced the NDC's campaign message of resetting Delta State, arguing that government should protect businesses and create jobs rather than use political differences to threaten livelihoods. He urged Agbah and those who participated in the march not to be discouraged by the development, saying that they have actually shown why they must RESET the state.
The NDC candidate added that the NDC's proposed reset would seek to move Delta away from what he described as the politics of intimidation and towards what he called "the politics of ideas and development." He also urged Deltans and Nigerians to participate actively in the 2027 elections, saying citizens should not be deterred from exercising their political rights by intimidation.
Key points
- - Delta State governorship candidate Deacon Chris Iyovwaye condemns sealing of NDC member's business premises - Iyovwaye alleges that the sealing was politically motivated and an act of intimidation - Iyovwaye calls for intervention from Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Nigerian Bar Association
