There is a proverb in Anioma: When a man has nothing to say, he raises his voice. When a party has nothing to show, it raises thugs.
Delta North is witnessing that sad proverb play out in real time. In the last few weeks, the politics of intolerance, fear and thuggery the trademarks of a dying order have characterized the activities of the ruling party in Delta State, especially in Delta North Senatorial District where the former governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of the APC, is up against the NDC candidate, Rt. Hon. Engr. Victor Ochei Esq., FNSE, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
And the pattern is too consistent to be a coincidence.
ASABA: THE MARCH THEY COULD NOT STOP
It started on Saturday, November 7th, with the disruption of the NDC One Million Man March in Asaba.
Supporters of the NDC were attacked. Many were wounded. There was an unfortunate loss of life. The attackers did not hide their intentions. Their mission was clear: ensure the rally did not go as planned. But they failed. The people defended their mandate, and the march was a huge success.
Then came the most damning confession. Members of a Taskforce protested, claiming their member was the casualty in the Saturday incident. That was a clear admission that the attack on the NDC was premeditated, well organized and sponsored by certain individuals who are afraid of the growing influence of the NDC in the state.
More worrisome was the partisanship of the State Government and the Police. They blamed the opposition for carrying out a solidarity march for their own candidates. In their words, if they had heeded security advice, the attack wouldn’t have happened. What a bundle of contradictions and self-indictment!
Is it not the duty of the Police to provide adequate security for a rally in the light of a security report? Is the Police now saying the opposition does not have the right to peaceful assembly and movement as guaranteed by the Constitution? If the rally had been organized by the ruling party, would they not have provided security cover?
As former President Goodluck Jonathan once said, no life is worth being sacrificed on the altar of political gains. No Nigerian should resort to violence or thuggery to please or show loyalty to certain individuals or parties. Your loyalty should be displayed through the ballot.
IGBODO: THE HALL THEY LOCKED, THE HEARTS THEY COULDN’T LOCK
As if Asaba was not enough, another incident happened in Igbodo.The ruling party denied the NDC a civic centre which had earlier been approved for a Town Hall Meeting by Victor Ochei. It was a desperate, last-minute ambush.
Unfortunately for the usurpers, their plan failed. The people rallied around the NDC. It became a successful consultation with the traditional institution, traders, farmers, students, young and old in Igbodo, Ika, and the PFN, Ika South Local Government Area.
HRM, Obi (Barr.) Ikechukwu Nkeobikwu Osedume I, opened his palace. The pastors of the PFN opened their hearts and prayed. The people opened their streets.They locked a hall. Ochei unlocked a kingdom.
OKPAI: THE DARKNESS THEY WANT TO PRESERVE
And then, Okpai.
Reports emerged that some individuals in Okpai community, Ndokwa East, allegedly violently obstructed the campaign team of the NDC candidates including Dr. Ugo Nwokolo, popularly known as Overdu, from Ossissa, and the Senatorial candidate, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei from accessing the community.
If confirmed, this is not just unfortunate. It is repugnant to social justice and fundamental rights.
But Okpai is not new to this story.Today, we appear to be witnessing another disturbing episode. How long will this continue?
THE GREATER INJUSTICE
The greater injustice is that Okpai hosts strategic national assets without commensurate development.Okpai is home to major oil and gas operations and the Okpai Independent Power Plant, an internationally recognised energy facility contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economy.
Yet, the community and surrounding Ndokwa communities continue to demand basic infrastructure. Where are the good access roads? Where are the functional healthcare facilities? Where are the visible developmental investments that should accompany the enormous economic contributions from these resources?
Instead of directing their energy towards demanding accountability from government, oil companies and relevant authorities, it is deeply unfortunate whenever a section of the youths is accused of confronting individuals who come to engage the community.
This is the Okpai where the people have been in darkness for years. Now that there seems to be light coming at the end of the tunnel, the forces who have over the years stood against the development of the community are now waging war against those who clamour for change and emancipation.
Ironically, such actions can never be supported by the good people of Okpai who are peace-loving and accommodating. It is the same old order that wants to reinforce its failures on the people that are fighting a lost battle. They have realised that the people are now aligned to the vision and new dawn of Victor Ochei. But the Okpai I know have already spoken and can’t be deceived any longer.
Our youths must understand that development is not achieved through intimidation, hostility or violence. Political differences should never become reasons to obstruct lawful movements or shut the doors of dialogue.
If the government has failed Okpai, confront the failure through organised advocacy. If oil companies have neglected their responsibilities, demand accountability. If the IPP has not delivered the expected benefits to the host community, organise and pursue legitimate engagement. Do not turn against fellow Ndokwa people or politicians simply because they belong to a different political platform.
I therefore call on the traditional institution, community leaders, elders, youth leaders and other stakeholders in Okpai to rise to this responsibility. Leadership must not remain silent whenever incidents of this nature are reported.
Let us be clear: Okpai deserves development, not isolation. Ndokwa deserves unity, not hostility. Politics should never become an instrument of intimidation.
The question is: Why has the ruling party resorted to violence, acrimony and intimidation to suppress the voice of the people in Delta North?
The answer is simple. It is only when there is nothing to campaign with as a ruling party that panic triggers the desperation to use state machinery, security apparatus, and undemocratic means to achieve political gains.
The ruling party should convince the electorate with its achievements, while the opposition shows the electorate its manifesto and why they deserve to be voted for. 2027 must not be a do-or-die affair. But they cannot. Because the people have seen the record, and the people have seen the alternative.
That alternative is Victor Ochei. Every attack has become an advertisement for his popularity. Every obstruction has become proof of his influence. Ochei is a wielding influence not because he has thugs, but because he has the people. He is not buying loyalty. He is earning it in palaces, in churches, in markets, in farms, in every ward of Delta North.
The message to the ruling camp is simple: It is no more business as usual. The people are wiser now.
Development has no political party. Peace is not a weakness. And no community can progress by shutting its doors to dialogue.
Come January 16, 2027, the people will answer violence with votes, intimidation with turnout, and darkness with light.
Austin Edemodu, PhD
