Political thugs allegedly loyal to the lawmaker representing Isoko Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Jonathan Ukodhiko, on Wednesday disrupted the ongoing ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Otor-Owhe/Akiewhe Ward 6.
Reports said party members had gathered around 7 a.m. at Azagba Primary School in Otor-Owhe, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, the designated venue for the exercise, when suspected thugs stormed the location and disrupted proceedings.
Party members reportedly expressed anger over what they described as undue interference, insisting that a credible election be conducted to reflect the genuine will of the ward.
Naija News reports that tension heightened when the suspected thugs, allegedly acting on behalf of the federal lawmaker and reportedly aided by armed military personnel, attempted to escort the party’s returning officer, Isaiah Ogunye, to prematurely announce a ward chairman.
The move was said to be contrary to the wishes of party members, who resisted the attempt, leading to a breakdown of the exercise.
Speaking to SaharaReporters on the incident, an APC member identified simply as Kome accused Ukodhiko of trying to impose ward executives on members through force.
“Ukodhiko cannot impose a ward executive on us. Because of our resistance, he decided to use political thugs who are loyal to him to disrupt the congress,” he said.
He further alleged that the lawmaker was acting out of political fears ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Ukodhiko is afraid because one of our own, Blessing Obomovo, is also interested in the House of Representatives come 2027. Ukodhiko is afraid that Obomovo could unseat him. As a result, he’s using all means to cause unnecessary fight in the system. This was how he was imposing LGA chairman on the people. He wants to capture all wards to enable his second term,” Kome said.
Kome described the lawmaker as “too desperate,” adding that party leaders and members had resolved to resist any attempt to hijack the ward’s executive structure.
“How can only Ukodhiko use his stooges to write a consensus executive list without a single input from other leaders of the party?
“Party members gathered in large numbers at Azagba Primary School, Otor-Owhe, the designated venue for the ward congress, to protest what they described as efforts to subvert the consensus arrangements earlier reached by stakeholders in line with party directives,” he added.
Kome also alleged that Ukodhiko, through loyalists including Richard Isagba, attempted to alter a consensus list earlier agreed upon by ward leaders and submitted to the APC Local Government Area chairman, Ebemuno, which had already been acknowledged at a leadership meeting.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of APC Otor-Owhe/Akiewhe Ward 6, Magistrate Oletu, confirmed that the exercise was disrupted by violence.
He stated that no congress was eventually held in the ward following the invasion by political thugs. When contacted, Isagba denied involvement in the disruption.
