*Threatens Legal Action SENIOR Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Protocol, Simon Mudi, popularly known as Temple, has dismissed as malicious and baseless, the allegation levelled against him by former deputy senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege. Speaking with journalists via telephone on Friday, August 14, Mudi rejected Omo-Agege’s claim that he attacked certain persons at Usiefrun on August 13, challenging the former senator to immediately produce the video evidence he referred to on his Facebook page, insisting that no such incident occurred. Mudi said he was recuperating in Asaba from a recent attack on him and could not possibly have been present at Usiefrun, querying how Omo-Agege and his associates could claim to have sighted him at the location when he was confined for health reasons. The aide to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori clarified that he is an indigene of Ekakpamre community and has no residential or ancestral connection to Usiefrun, the location of the said attack, contrary to the senator’s assertion. He accused Omo-Agege of political desperation by “wailing ahead of his looming failure” in next year’s general elections, advising him to wait until after the polls before issuing such complaints. Mudi declared that if Omo-Agege failed to tender an unreserved public apology within 48 hours and produced the purported video evidence, he will have no alternative, but to seek legal redress against the senator for defamation and false accusation.
Recall that Omo-Agege, who is the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Delta Central, had alleged that on Thursday, August 4, armed men attacked his convoy during a ward-to-ward consultation in Usiefrun, Ughelli South Local Council, leaving six party members injure, as they toured the senatorial district.
He alleged in a statement on Friday that the attackers, who were linked to Oborevwori, opened fire on supporters gathered to receive his delegation, claiming that himself the party’s governorship candidate, Chris Iyovwaye, and other leaders were targeted.
He identified the injured as Believe Biadoyo, Joshua Oghenetega Oyibocha, Owhos Peter and Ojiyovwin Dennis.
Omo-Agege further alleged that eyewitnesses and video footage implicated Mudi, Flash Oghenetega Origbon, Ochuko Origbon and Alex Awherhurho, urging their immediate arrest.
He also called on the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the incident, alongside the alleged attacks at Agholokpe and PTI Effurun on July 29, saying it has become a pattern.
Omo-Agege demanded Oborevwori’s condemnation of the incident and ensure the arrest of the suspects within 48 hours, warning that failure to act would amount to complicity.
The NDC candidate said the NDC would continue its campaign activities and urged supporters not to retaliate, adding: “Do not retaliate. Do not live in fear. Violence will not stop us.”
