By Donald Ojebo
ASABA/Nigeria: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has directed security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding an incident in which his Senior Special Assistant, Hon. Temple Mudi, sustained injuries during a political meeting at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun.
The Delta State Government said those found responsible for the disturbance would be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law, stressing that the incident was an isolated occurrence and should not be interpreted as political violence involving the state’s ruling party.
The government’s position was conveyed on Friday by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Hon. Charles Aniagwu, during a press briefing in which he dismissed claims by opposition parties that the incident reflected a culture of political violence in Delta State.
Aniagwu said preliminary information available to the government indicated that the incident resulted from a disagreement among individuals at the meeting and cautioned against what he described as attempts to politicise the development.
According to him, the Oborevwori administration does not encourage or tolerate violence in any form and remains committed to peaceful political engagement and the rule of law.
He disclosed that Governor Oborevwori had instructed security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure that everyone involved is identified and held accountable.
“The Governor has made it clear that any individual found culpable, regardless of status, must face the consequences of their actions. This administration has zero tolerance for violence and lawlessness,” Aniagwu said.
The commissioner also rejected suggestions that the incident was connected to political developments in the state or public support for the Presidency, describing such claims as misleading.
He urged opposition parties to exercise restraint in their public comments and avoid drawing broad political conclusions from what he maintained was an isolated incident.
Aniagwu further said the administration remained focused on governance and would not be distracted from delivering infrastructure and implementing programmes aimed at improving the welfare of residents.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to maintaining peace, security and political stability, assuring residents that the government would continue to work with security agencies to uphold the rule of law while investigations into the incident continue.
