By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Delta State for the 2027 election, Peter Mrakpor, SAN, has accused alleged political thugs loyal to the state government of attacking PDP members and defectors during the party joining and reception ceremony in Oria-Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area.
Mrakpor, in a statement made available on Sunday, August 16, 2026, alleged that the attackers were led by Oghenekevwe Emoavwodia, a councillor representing DESIEC Ward 5, Ethiope East, and acted on the alleged instructions of the Director of Protocol at Government House, Chief Sunday Onoriode, and the Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Council, Chief Augustine Ogedegbe.
According to him, the incident resulted in injuries to the PDP LGA Chairman in Ethiope East, Festus Egede, Mrs. Eslophe and at least three other party members.
The PDP candidate described the incident as “a brazen act of political thuggery,” alleging that it was part of an attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress-led administration in the state to intimidate opposition members and suppress their constitutional right to associate freely with a political party.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Delta State Commissioner of Police to immediately arrest Emoavwodia over his alleged involvement in the incident.
Mrakpor also urged the police authorities to summon Onoriode and Ogedegbe for questioning over their alleged roles in instigating the attack.
He said the PDP would not be intimidated or silenced, insisting that the party remained committed to pursuing its political objectives through lawful and peaceful means.
“Do not retaliate. We will not be provoked into a cycle of violence,” Mrakpor appealed to PDP members and other peace-loving residents of Delta State.
He urged the party’s supporters to remain calm and disciplined, declaring that the struggle to reclaim the state would be conducted within the law.
The allegations contained in the statement had not been independently verified at the time of filing this report. The accused officials and the relevant security authorities were also not immediately available for comment.
It could be recalled that the Delta Central Senatorial Candidate for the 2027 Elections under the Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC, and former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, recently alleged similar attack during his political consultation at Usieffurun in Ughelli South Local Government Area by suspected thugs he described as loyalists to the state government, but the allegations were denied. With the way things are going, if the is not addressed quickly, 2027 elections maybe so bloody.