By Godwin Ejoh
The organiser of the 10,000-man march for the National Democratic Congress, NDC, in Ughelli, Delta State, Ambassador Tobore Alex Agbah, has alleged political victimisation after the Ughelli North Local Government Council sealed his property.
Agbah, in a media report alleged that the action by the council was linked to the NDC awareness march organised by his group, Team Agbah, on Saturday.
The march, which was aimed at sensitising residents and mobilising support for the NDC and its candidates, attracted what Agbah described as an “organic” turnout.
He alleged that while the march was ongoing, his wife informed him that council officials were on their way to inspect the property and possibly demolish it.
Agbah said: “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 if he was aware of any regulatory violation involving the property, Agbah attributed the council’s action to his political activities.
He said: “The reason is the 10,000-man march against APC. It is political.
“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.”
Agbah further alleged that the council chairman had threatened to frustrate him because of his support for the NDC.
He appealed to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to intervene, arguing that political differences should not result in victimisation.
“I am calling on the Federal Government to call the local government chairman to desist from politics of bitterness.
“Politics is not a game of enmity; it is a game of interest. We are not doing politics to hurt ourselves.
“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.
“I don’t deserve such treatment just because I led a 10,000-man march for NDC.”
However, the Ughelli North Local Government Chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, denied that the sealing was politically motivated, saying the property was allegedly built under a high-tension electricity line.
Egbo said council officials had written Agbah several times over the alleged violation of environmental regulations but that he failed to comply.
According to him, the council had undertaken more than 30 demolitions since he assumed office involving structures allegedly obstructing waterways or built under high-tension lines.
He said: “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.
“Since I took office, we have carried out over 30 demolitions from those who block waterways and those who build under high tension, like this particular illegal structure.
“Let me reiterate that being in opposition does not make you above the law. Let your man bring his approval for the illegal structure.”
On the allegation that the enforcement was connected to Saturday’s NDC march, Egbo dismissed the claim, insisting that the council’s action was based on alleged regulatory violations.
The council chairman also accused Agbah of branding a vehicle without paying the prescribed mobile advertising fee.
Egbo said: “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.”
He warned that the council would enforce the law if Agbah failed to produce 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,” Egbo added.
