The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations by former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, linking the party to recent incidents of violence in the state, describing the claims as false, politically motivated and an attempt to mislead the public.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party's State Publicity Secretary, Mr Valentine Onojeghuo, the APC accused Omo-Agege of exploiting the recent incident at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Effurun, for political advantage by portraying it as an act of orchestrated political violence.
The party also faulted claims allegedly made by the former senator that the APC sponsored thugs to prevent the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Chris Iyovwaye, from visiting his Aghalokpe community.
According to the APC, the attempt to link the PTI incident with the alleged obstruction of Iyovwaye's visit was "completely false" and intended to create what it described as a misleading narrative of a coordinated campaign of violence across Delta State.
"It is unfortunate that Senator Omo-Agege has chosen to exploit the regrettable incident at the PTI Conference Centre for cheap political opportunism by peddling a concocted narrative of political thuggery allegedly orchestrated by the APC. Nothing could be further from the truth," the statement read.
The party maintained that it is a law-abiding political organisation committed to constitutional democracy and the rule of law, insisting that it neither condones nor encourages violence.
It described attempts to associate the APC with criminality without evidence as malicious, defamatory and politically motivated.
The APC further insisted that the reported violence occurred outside its Delta Central leaders' and stakeholders' meeting held at the PTI Conference Centre, stressing that the meeting itself was peaceful from beginning to end.
According to the party, the event was broadcast live by national television stations, including ARISE Television and TVC News, making it clear that the proceedings were conducted peacefully.
The ruling party also condemned what it described as Omo-Agege's allegation that the APC was planning a coordinated campaign of violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It argued that such claims, made without publicly available evidence, were capable of creating unnecessary fear among residents and undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
The APC challenged the former Deputy President of the Senate to submit any credible evidence in his possession to security agencies rather than making what it described as inflammatory allegations through the media.
The party reiterated its support for a comprehensive, impartial and professional investigation into all reported incidents of violence, including the PTI incident, expressing confidence that such investigations would establish the true facts.
It urged residents of the state not to be swayed by what it called a campaign of misinformation, maintaining that Delta State has continued to enjoy relative peace and sustained development under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
The APC also called on political leaders across party lines to exercise restraint, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and allow security agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities without interference.
"As the 2027 general elections approach, every political stakeholder has a responsibility to promote peace, strengthen democratic values and place the collective interest of the people above personal political ambition," the statement added.
