Asagba Warns Peter Obi, Obidient Movement Over Deadly Asaba Violence
The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, has warned Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, and the Obidient Movement to rein in their supporters following the deadly political violence that rocked Asaba, Delta State, on Saturday, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
The clash reportedly occurred during political mobilisation by supporters of the NDC and the Obidient Movement.
The confrontation, which allegedly involved rival groups, resulted in the death of one person and injuries to several others, raising concerns over growing political tension in the state capital.
Azinge, in a statement on Sunday addressed to Obi, condemned the violence and urged the NDC leader and the Obidient Movement's leadership to caution their supporters against violence, intimidation, provocation and retaliation.
“Leadership comes with responsibility,” he said, stressing that Obi's political influence and the support he commands, particularly among young Nigerians, must be matched by a commitment to peaceful political participation.
The monarch demanded an impartial investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible, while urging the movement to resolve its internal disagreements through dialogue and established party mechanisms.
He also called for proper coordination of future political gatherings with security agencies and warned against retaliatory attacks.
“Asaba is not a battleground for political supremacy. Our people will not accept the importation of political hostility into our communities or the disruption of our peace in the name of party politics,” he said.
The monarch added that no political movement was greater than the peace of Asaba and no political ambition worth the life of its people.
He condoled with the family of the deceased and wished the injured speedy recovery.
The NDC had earlier accused the opposition groups of being behind the attack on its campaigners in Asaba.
The party’s Delta Central Senatorial candidate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege through his aide, Godwin Anaughe, had alleged that All Progressives Congress-linked individuals orchestrated the violence to disrupt its political mobilisation, an allegation the APC and the state government have strongly disputed, with both sides trading accusations over Saturday's bloody incident.
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