The organiser of a 10,000-man awareness march for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ughelli, Delta State, Ambassador Tobore Alex Agbah, has accused the Ughelli North Local Government Council Chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, of sealing his property shortly after the political rally.
Agbah, who spoke on Sunday, alleged that the action was politically motivated and connected to his role in organising the NDC mobilisation exercise held on Saturday.
He said the march, organised by his group, Team Agbah, was intended to sensitise residents and mobilise support for the NDC and its candidates.
According to him, the exercise attracted a large turnout, which he described as an “organic” mobilisation.
Agbah said he was participating in the march when his wife informed him that council officials were heading to his property for an inspection and possible demolition.
He later learnt that the property had been sealed.
“The reason is the 10,000-man march against APC. It is political,” Agbah alleged.
He also claimed that the property had stood for decades without objection from successive council administrations.
“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,” he said.
Agbah further alleged that the council chairman had previously threatened to frustrate him because of his political activities.
He appealed to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to intervene, arguing that political differences should not result in victimisation.
However, Egbo rejected the allegation that the sealing was politically motivated, saying the property was allegedly constructed beneath a high-tension electricity line and therefore violated environmental regulations.
The council chairman said officials had written to Agbah several times over the alleged violation but that he failed to comply.
Egbo also said the council had demolished more than 30 structures since he assumed office, particularly those allegedly obstructing waterways or built beneath high-tension power lines.
“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.
He maintained that political affiliation did not exempt anyone from complying with the law.
“Being in opposition does not make you above the law. Let your man bring his approval for the illegal structure,” he said.
The chairman also accused Agbah of branding a vehicle for the march without paying the prescribed mobile advertising fee.
He warned that the council would enforce the relevant regulations if Agbah failed to produce approval for the structure or pay the required 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.
