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Former Deputy Senate President says six NDC members injured in Usiefrun attack; names governor’s aide as mastermind

WARRI, Nigeria — Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Delta Central Senatorial candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Friday alleged that armed thugs affiliated with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori attempted to assassinate him during a political tour in Ughelli South Local Government Area, describing the attack as the violent culmination of weeks of rising political tension in the state .

In a strongly worded statement, Omo-Agege said the attack occurred Thursday, August 13, 2026, when gunmen opened fire on NDC supporters who had gathered to welcome him and the party’s governorship candidate, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, in Usiefrun community. Six party members were injured in the shooting, he said .

“Yesterday, Thursday, August 13, 2026, armed men affiliated with the Governor of Delta State attempted to take my life in Usiefrun. Thankfully, by God’s grace, they failed,” Omo-Agege said in a statement. “Let it be on record: I was the main target” .

The senator named four alleged masterminds: Hon. Simon Mudi, also known as “TEMPLE,” a Protocol Officer to Governor Oborevwori; Flash Oghenetega Origbon; Ochuko Origbon; and Alex Awherhurho. He claimed all four are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State and that eyewitnesses and video evidence have identified them .

The attack follows a pattern of escalating violence that Omo-Agege had publicly warned about on July 29, 2026, citing the assault on Mudi at PTI Effurun and an earlier attack on Iyovwaye in Agholokpe .

“On July 29, I raised the alarm about the rising violence in Delta. It was no longer a series of isolated incidents. Today, that warning has come to pass,” Omo-Agege said. “Agholokpe happened. Effurun happened. Now Usiefrun. This is a pattern” .

The NDC candidate dismissed suggestions that the incidents were unrelated, calling Thursday’s event “a well-orchestrated campaign of violence and attempted murder” ahead of the 2027 elections .

He demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the four named individuals and gave Governor Oborevwori 48 hours to condemn the attack and ensure arrests. “Silence will be seen as complicity,” he warned .

Omo-Agege also called on the Inspector General of Police and the Delta Commissioner of Police to investigate all three incidents as one connected case, and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, civil society groups, and the international community to deploy observers to Delta Central, which he described as “unsafe” .

Mudi Denies Allegations

In a swift response, Simon Mudi dismissed the allegations as “malicious and baseless,” telling journalists he is currently receiving medical treatment in Asaba and could not have been present at Usiefrun .

“He challenged the senator to immediately produce the video evidence he allegedly referenced, insisting that no such incident occurred,” The Sun reported .

Omo-Agege Vows to Continue Campaign

Despite the attack, Omo-Agege said the NDC would not be intimidated and would continue its ward-to-ward engagements across Delta Central.

“Do not retaliate. Do not live in fear. We will continue to reach every ward. Violence will not stop us,” he told party members. “We will win on our ideas and our record, because Delta deserves capable leadership” .

“On July 29, I called it ‘a shame.’ Today, it is an assassination attempt and an assault on our democracy. Enough is enough,” he added .

Here’s full text of Senator Omo-Agege’s report:

FROM WARNING TO WAR — THE USIEFRUN ATTACK CONFIRMS OUR FEARS ABOUT APC VIOLENCE IN DELTA

August 14, 2026

Yesterday, Thursday, August 13, 2026, armed men affiliated with the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, attempted to take my life in Usiefrun, Ughelli South LGA. They also targeted Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, our NDC Governorship Candidate, and other members of the NDC leadership in Delta. Thankfully, by God’s grace, they failed.

2. On July 29, 2026, I raised the alarm about the rising violence in Delta. It was no longer a series of isolated incidents. I pointed to the attack on Hon. Temple Mudi at PTI Effurun and the earlier assault on Deacon Chris Iyovwaye in Agholokpe. Today, that warning has come to pass.

3. In Usiefrun, thugs loyal to the Governor opened fire on NDC members who had gathered to welcome us during our tour of Delta Central. Let it be on record: I was the main target. Six NDC members were injured, including Mr. Believe Biadoyo, Mr. Joshua Oghenetega Oyibocha, Owhos Peter, Ojiyovwin Dennis and two others.

4. Eyewitnesses and video evidence have identified the following as the masterminds:
a. Hon. Simon Mudi a.k.a “TEMPLE,” Protocol Officer to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori
b. Mr. Flash Oghenetega Origbon
c. Mr. Ochuko Origbon
d. Mr. Alex Awherhurho
All of them are members of the APC in Delta State.

5. This confirms what we said on July 29, 2026: a party that cannot control its own members cannot be trusted with the safety of Deltans. This is no longer politics. It is a well-orchestrated campaign of violence and attempted murder.

6. On July 29, I stated: “We have credible intelligence indicating that the APC is gearing up for a coordinated campaign of violence ahead of 2027.” Agholokpe happened. Effurun happened. Now Usiefrun. This is a pattern. Our warning has become evidence.

7. We refuse to be intimidated or silenced. Our ward-to-ward visits across Delta Central Senatorial District will continue. I urge the Inspector General of Police and the Delta CP to act against Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his aide, Hon. Temple Mudi. Just days ago, Temple was reported as a victim at PTI Effurun. Today, he is named as the mastermind behind this attack. This must end. Delta deserves peace.

8. OUR DEMANDS:
a. Immediate arrest and prosecution of Simon Mudi a.k.a TEMPLE, Flash Origbon, Ochuko Origbon, and Alex Awherhurho.
b. The Delta State Government must suspend and hand over to police any appointee connected to this attack.
c. The Police, DSS, and IGP must treat Agholokpe, Effurun, and Usiefrun as one connected case.
d. INEC, civil society, and the international community must recognize that Delta Central is unsafe and deploy observers now.

9. To Governor Sheriff Oborevwori: You have 48 hours to condemn this attack and ensure arrests are made. Silence will be seen as complicity.

10. To the NDC family and all peace-loving Deltans: Do not retaliate. Do not live in fear. We will continue to reach every ward. Violence will not stop us. We will win on our ideas and our record, because Delta deserves capable leadership.

11. On July 29, I called it “a shame.” Today, it is an assassination attempt and an assault on our democracy. Enough is enough.

Signed,
H.E. Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, KSJI
Deputy President of the 9th Senate and
NDC Delta Central Senatorial District Candidate