A House of Representatives candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Christopher Ominimini Obiuwevbi, has accused the Ughelli North Local Government in Delta State of sealing the business premises of a businessman who organised a mass march against hunger, insecurity and poor infrastructure, alleging political persecution.
The candidate, who is contesting for the Udu, Ughelli North/Ughelli South Federal Constituency, raised the alarm in a viral video circulating on social media, calling on the council chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, to immediately order the removal of the seal from the premises.
Ominimini alleged that the council sealed the business premises of Alex Agba, whom he identified as the organiser of a 10,000-man march in support of the Peter Obi–Rabiu Kwankwaso political alliance and the NDC, following the protest held in Ughelli.
According to him, the march, which was organised to protest hunger, insecurity, bad roads and infrastructural deficits under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, attracted thousands of participants, despite being initially planned as a 10,000-man demonstration.
Ominimini alleged that the local government moved against Agba’s business shortly after the march, describing the action as an attempt to punish him for his political activities and affiliation with the opposition party.
“The news has just come to me that, as a result of the tagged 10,000-man march which took place yesterday, which metamorphosed into thousands of men marching against hunger, the local government area council has just come to seal its business premises,” he said.
“Is this not a shame? Is this what APC can offer? That because Agba initiated the march of NDC against hunger yesterday in Ughelli Urban, the local government council has just come to seal its business premises.”
He accused the council of using its regulatory powers to intimidate opposition supporters, urging Egbo to reconsider the decision and prevent the dispute from escalating into a political controversy.
Ominimini, who described Agba as a fellow indigene of the Ughelli community, said the businessman had invested in a commercial building that provided employment opportunities for residents, arguing that the council should recognise his contribution to the local economy rather than shut down his business.
He also called on women and other residents to prevail on the council chairman to reverse the action, warning that the alleged sealing of the premises could further aggravate public dissatisfaction with the local government.
The NDC candidate used the opportunity to criticise the state of infrastructure in Ughelli North, alleging that residents were grappling with hunger, deteriorating roads, poor educational facilities, unemployment and inadequate markets.
He claimed that several roads in the area had become difficult to navigate, forcing residents to take longer routes to reach their destinations.
Ominimini also alleged that pupils and students in some schools were forced to sit on the floor because of inadequate facilities, while market women were experiencing difficult trading conditions.
He challenged the council chairman to focus on providing basic amenities and infrastructure rather than taking actions against businesses allegedly linked to opposition politicians.
Breaking: Delta Govt allegedly sealed the business premises of the organizer of the 10,000-man march for Peter Obi-Kwankwaso and the NDC in Ughelli North LGA. – Dr. Ominimini, NDC House of Reps Candidate for Udu, Ughelli North/South Federal Constituency, raises alarm. https://t.co/f36unB73qi
— Prosperity (@yeripros) October 4, 2026
“Concentrate your efforts on bringing dividends of democracy to people, if you have any to bring, and not to seal people’s businesses because they are in NDC,” he said.
He further urged Egbo, whom he described as a lawyer, traditional chief and a knight of the Anglican Church, not to allow partisan political considerations to influence his decisions as council chairman.
Ominimini warned that the chairman would eventually leave office and would have to live with the consequences of his actions, urging him to protect his reputation by ensuring that the alleged closure was reversed.
“This is not the type of work that is expected of you. The work that is expected of you is to do the road that is leading to even the council. At least, you can do that,” he said.
However, the Ughelli North Local Government Chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, has denied that the sealing of the premises was politically motivated, insisting that the building was an illegal structure erected beneath high-tension electricity wires and that the action was part of the council’s enforcement of environmental and safety regulations.
In a response to the allegations, Egbo said the council had repeatedly written to the businessman over the alleged violations but that he had failed to comply with the directives.
“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.
The chairman said the council had carried out more than 30 demolitions since he assumed office, targeting structures allegedly obstructing waterways and buildings erected beneath high-tension electricity lines.
He maintained that the enforcement action was not directed at members of any particular political party, stressing that political affiliation did not exempt residents from complying with applicable regulations.
“Let me reiterate that being in opposition does not make you above the law. Let your man bring his approval for the illegal structure,” he said.
Egbo also accused Agba of branding a vehicle for mobile advertising without paying the required fees to the Delta State Signage and Advertising Agency (DESSAA), where he said he serves as chairman of the governing board.
He insisted that the businessman must provide the necessary building approval and pay the prescribed advertising fees, warning that the council would proceed with enforcement measures if the requirements were not met.
“By the grace of God, I am the Chairman of the Governing Board of Delta State Advertising Agency, DESSAA. 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.
The dispute comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties and political movements increasingly mobilising supporters against the APC-led administration over economic hardship, insecurity and poor infrastructure.
The NDC march in Ughelli was organised around these concerns, with its participants reportedly protesting the rising cost of living, insecurity, deteriorating roads and infrastructural deficits.