Delta 2027: Iyovwaye condemns sealing of NDC member’s business - The Guardian Nigeria News

Irked by what he described as political witch-hunting in the state, 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.

In a statement shared with The Guardian on Monday, Iyovwaye said the march was peaceful and questioned why Agbah’s business premises should be sealed over his political activities.

According to him, Agbah is a businessman from Ughelli North who built his enterprise from scratch and employs residents of the area.

“What was his crime? His crime was that he organised a 10,000-man march for NDC and against the Renewed Hope agenda and frustration caused by this current administration,” Iyovwaye said.

“A peaceful march. No violence. No stone thrown. Just young men and women saying: ‘We want to reset Delta and Nigeria as a whole.”

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.

“If there was a planning issue, there is a process. Serve notice. Give time. Go to court,” he said.

“But you did not do that because this was not about planning. Everybody knows this was about politics.” The NDC candidate urged the chairman to remember that his office was responsible for all residents of Ughelli North, regardless of their political affiliations.

“Sir, you are the Chairman of all Ughelli North, not chairman of APC. You swore to protect every citizen, even those who do not support you,” he said.

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.

Addressing the governor, Iyovwaye said: “Your Excellency, you said in church on Sunday that public office is held in trust for the people. That power is not for family.

He warned that failure to address the incident could create the perception that the sealing had the backing of the state government.

“If you keep quiet on this issue, then every Deltan will know that this was sanctioned from Asaba. Your silence will be approval,” he alleged.

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. “They think they have broken you. They have not. They have actually shown why we must RESET this state,” he said.

The 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.

Iyovwaye further called on the Commissioner of Police in Delta State and other security agencies to protect NDC members and other opposition supporters in Ughelli North and across the state.

“We are peaceful people. We will remain peaceful, but we will not be intimidated,” he said.

Iyovwaye concluded that the sealing of a business premises could not suppress the political views of those demanding change.

“They can seal a business premises, but they cannot seal the determination of 10,000 youths who want a new Delta,” he said.

The NDC candidate’s statement comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties and aspirants already mobilising supporters across Delta State.