ASABA: The Delta State Government has blamed the organisers and supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and members of the Obidient Movement for the violence that erupted during a political rally in Asaba on Saturday, November 7, 2026, alleging that their failure to comply with police directives contributed to the incident.
The government confirmed that one person lost his life, while four others sustained serious injuries during the violence, which disrupted the political gathering and sparked condemnation among opposition supporters.
The incident reportedly occurred when armed men attacked participants at the NDC rally, leaving several people injured. Some of the attackers were said to have wielded daggers and other dangerous weapons during the assault.
Among those reportedly injured was Comrade Noah, identified as the Delta State Deputy Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, who was allegedly stabbed with a dagger during the attack.
The violence has generated concern among political stakeholders and members of the Obidient Movement, who have called for a thorough investigation and the prosecution of those responsible.
Reacting to the incident, the Delta State Government condemned the violence, describing it as unacceptable and avoidable.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, the government alleged that the organisers of the rally failed to comply with police advice concerning their proposed street procession.
According to the government, security authorities had advised the organisers to suspend the planned street march and conduct their campaign activities at a designated venue instead.
However, the organisers allegedly proceeded with the proposed procession despite the police directive, a development the state government believes contributed to the breakdown of security.
Aniagwu maintained that the incident could have been avoided if the organisers had followed the security advice and restricted their political activities to an approved location.
The commissioner said the government considered the attack a serious threat to public peace and the safety of residents, particularly as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite its position on the alleged failure of the rally organisers to comply with police advice, the state government called on the police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
It urged security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute everyone found to have participated in the attack, stressing that nobody should be allowed to take the law into their own hands.
The government also warned political parties, their supporters and other political actors against resorting to violence, intimidation or any conduct capable of threatening public order.
Reaffirming its position, the state government declared that it had zero tolerance for politically motivated attacks and insisted that political disagreements must never become an excuse for endangering human lives.
The Asaba incident has raised fresh concerns about political tolerance, security and the safety of opposition supporters as political mobilisation gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The attack has also renewed calls for political parties and their supporters to respect democratic principles, allow peaceful political participation and avoid confrontations capable of escalating into violence.
While the Delta State Government has attributed the incident partly to the alleged disregard of police advice by the rally organisers, the circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identity of the assailants and those who may have sponsored or coordinated the violence, remain matters for investigation.
The police are expected to establish the sequence of events, determine those responsible and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the full consequences of the law.
For residents of Delta State, the immediate concern remains the protection of lives, the restoration of public confidence and the assurance that political activities can take place without fear of violence or intimidation.
By RapidoSpace News
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