NDC 10,000-Man March: Ughelli Council Chairman Seals Organiser’s Property

Ambassador Tobore Alex Agbah, organiser of an NDC awareness march in Ughelli, Delta State, has alleged that the Ughelli North Local Government Council sealed his property shortly after the political event.

Agbah made the allegation in an interview with Vanguard on Sunday, claiming that the action was politically motivated and connected to his role in organising the march held on Saturday.

The march, organised by his group, Team Agbah, was aimed at sensitising residents and mobilising support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its candidates.

Agbah described the turnout as a major grassroots mobilisation and said he was informed during the march that officials were coming to inspect his property and might demolish it.

According to him, the property was subsequently sealed on Sunday.

Agbah alleged that there had been no prior notice and linked the enforcement action to his political activities.

“The reason is the 10,000-man march against APC. It is political,” he said.

He further alleged that the council chairman had threatened to frustrate him because of his involvement with the opposition party.

Agbah appealed to the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to intervene, arguing that political disagreements should not result in victimisation.

However, Ughelli North Local Government Chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, rejected the allegation that the sealing was politically motivated.

Egbo said the property was sealed because it was allegedly constructed under a high-tension electricity line, which he described as a violation of environmental and safety regulations.

He said council officials had written to Agbah several times over the alleged violation but that he failed to comply.

According to Egbo, the council had carried out more than 30 demolitions since he assumed office involving structures allegedly obstructing waterways or built beneath high-tension power lines.

“The particular sealed property was built under high-tension wire,” Egbo said, adding that Agbah should produce approval for the structure if he believed it was legally constructed.

The council chairman also dismissed any connection between the enforcement action and Agbah's political affiliation or the NDC march.

Egbo further accused Agbah of branding a vehicle without paying the prescribed mobile advertising fee, saying the relevant advertising regulations would also be enforced.

The chairman said the council would allow the law to take its course if Agbah failed to provide the necessary approval for the structure or settle applicable advertising fees.

The competing accounts have not been independently resolved, and there is no indication from the report that a court or other competent authority has determined whether the sealing was politically motivated or whether the property violated applicable regulations.