A political dispute has erupted in Ughelli, Delta State, after Ambassador Tobore Alex Agbah, organiser of a 10,000-man awareness march for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), alleged that his property was sealed by the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Olorogun Jaro Egbo.
Agbah, who disclosed this in an interview with Vanguard on Sunday, alleged that the action was politically motivated and came barely a day after he led the NDC mobilisation march through the community.
According to him, the march, organised by his group, Team Agbah, was designed to sensitise residents and mobilise support for the NDC and its candidates.
He described the turnout as “organic”, saying the size of the crowd demonstrated significant public participation in the exercise.
Agbah alleged that while the march was ongoing, his wife contacted him to say officials were heading to his property, reportedly with plans to demolish the structure.
He said he initially dismissed the information as a joke but was later informed that the local government chairman had ordered the property sealed.
“While we were on the march, my wife called me that they were coming to see my property and demolish it. We thought it was a joke.
“But this afternoon, as I was coming from church, before I could get to my house, they called me that the local government chairman had sealed my property.”
Asked whether he was aware of any violation that could have prompted the action, Agbah linked the development to his political activities.
“The reason is the 10,000-man march against APC. It is political,” he alleged.
He claimed that the property had existed for decades without any previous local government administration raising an objection.
“There was no notice. The property has been there for decades. All the local government chairmen who have come and gone have met the property there without any issue.
“Yesterday was Saturday and we did the march. Today, Sunday, they brought a notice and sealed the place,” he said.
Agbah further alleged that Egbo had previously threatened to frustrate him over his involvement with the NDC.
He appealed to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to intervene, arguing that political differences should not result in victimisation.
“Politics is not a game of enmity; it is a game of interest. We are not doing politics to hurt ourselves,” he said.
“I have known him before now. We have been in the same political struggle before. So why is it that because I am in NDC, he is trying to frustrate me?
“He told my wife openly that I am fighting this party and that, as a result, he would make sure they frustrate me.”
However, Egbo rejected the allegation of political victimisation, saying the property was sealed because it was allegedly constructed beneath a high-tension electricity line.
The council chairman said the enforcement action had nothing to do with Agbah's political affiliation, insisting that his administration was enforcing environmental regulations.
According to Egbo, council officials had written to Agbah several times concerning the alleged violation, but he failed to comply.
“The particular sealed property was built under high-tension wire. As a matter of fact, my officials told me that they have written to him several times, but he refused to obey simple environmental regulations,” Egbo said.
He added that the council had carried out more than 30 demolitions since he assumed office involving structures allegedly obstructing waterways or constructed beneath high-tension lines.
“Being in opposition does not make you above the law. Let your man bring his approval for the illegal structure,” he said.
Egbo also dismissed any connection between the enforcement action and the NDC march, maintaining that the council acted because of alleged regulatory violations.
He further accused Agbah of branding a vehicle for mobile advertising without paying the prescribed fees.
“On the branded bus, he branded the vehicle without paying for mobile advert. By the grace of God, I am the Chairman of the Governing Board of Delta State Advertising Agency, DESSAA,” Egbo said.
The council chairman warned that the law would take its course if Agbah failed to produce the necessary approval for the structure or pay the prescribed advertising fees.
“If he fails to bring the approval for the illegal structure or fails to pay the prescribed fees, the law will take its course and heaven will not fall,” he added.
Vanguard also reviewed photographs and videos circulating on social media purportedly showing the sealing of the property.
