By John Umeh
Tension gripped Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday after violence erupted during the All Progressives Congress (APC) local congress, forcing federal lawmaker Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu to leave the venue under tight security.
The congress, originally scheduled to hold at the Oghara Township Stadium, was reportedly relocated to Ovade, a decision that sparked confusion and heightened anxiety among party faithful. Supporters who had gathered early at the initial venue were said to have been redirected at short notice, leading to disagreements and mounting tension.
Shortly after the lawmaker arrived at the new location, chaos broke out. Eyewitnesses alleged that suspected thugs infiltrated the gathering and attacked party members, causing injuries to several attendees. Some of the injured were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment, while others fled the scene as panic spread.
In a statement released afterward, Ibori-Suenu confirmed that security concerns prevented her from accessing the congress ground. She disclosed that threats to her safety were reported, prompting security operatives attached to her to swiftly move her away from the volatile scene.
The lawmaker, who represents the Ethiope Federal Constituency and is the daughter of former Delta State Governor James Onanefe Ibori, called for calm among her supporters. She urged party members to refrain from retaliatory actions and appealed to security agencies to restore order and ensure that democratic processes are protected.
Sources within the local government area indicated that tension lingered in parts of Ethiope West hours after the disruption, with fears of possible reprisal attacks. Residents expressed concern that the internal party crisis could spill over into broader unrest if not quickly addressed.
Party stakeholders are yet to release an official position on whether the disrupted congress will be rescheduled or annulled. Meanwhile, observers say the incident underscores growing factional disputes within the party structure at the grassroots level in Delta State.
Security presence has reportedly been reinforced across strategic points in the local government area to prevent further breakdown of law and order as authorities continue to monitor the situation.
