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By Our Correspondent 

The Delta State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has launched a blistering attack on the alleged use of incumbency and government machinery to frustrate opposition activities in the state, warning that political power must never be weaponised against democracy.

The party accused government-aligned actors of allegedly intimidating, harassing and obstructing legitimate political competition, particularly through the reported destruction and removal of its billboards, banners and other campaign materials.

Addressing a press conference in Asaba, Delta State Capital, the NDC State Chairman, Chief Hon. Angiamaowei Richman Oyindoubra, PhD, declared that the alleged actions represented a dangerous assault on the democratic space and challenged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to face the electorate rather than allegedly deploying state power against political opponents.

Oyindoubra said the right to organise, campaign, persuade and contest elections was a constitutional and democratic right which no government or political party had the authority to suppress.

“Power must not substitute for popularity,” he declared, insisting that political power was transient while democratic principles were enduring.

The NDC chairman particularly cited alleged incidents in Bomadi and Isoko South Local Government Areas, where he claimed the party’s political billboards and campaign materials were pulled down.

According to him, the alleged destruction of NDC materials in Bomadi occurred under the watch of the APC-led Local Government Council Chairman, Mr. Dagidi Lawrence Adaye, while similar allegations were made against the administration of the Isoko South Local Government Council Chairman, Mr. Warri Friday Voke.

He stressed that the allegations should be investigated impartially and transparently, warning that no public official should be allowed to turn political authority into a weapon for suppressing opposition parties.

“A billboard cannot vote. A banner cannot vote. A poster cannot vote. Only the Nigerian people possess the sovereign authority to vote,” Oyindoubra said.

He challenged the APC to prove its popularity at the ballot box instead of allegedly attempting to silence the opposition.

“If you are popular, campaign. If you are confident, persuade. If you believe you have performed, face the people. Do not deploy the machinery of government against political competitors,” he said.

The NDC chairman further asked what the ruling party could possibly be afraid of, questioning whether it feared the NDC’s message, the growing political consciousness of Deltans or the possibility that voters might compare the records of competing parties before making their choices.

He maintained that if the NDC’s ideas were weak, the APC should expose them before the electorate rather than allegedly destroy its campaign materials.

“If the NDC erects a billboard, let the APC erect a more compelling one. If we convene a rally, let them organise a larger rally. If we publish a manifesto, let them publish a superior manifesto. If our candidates are weak, defeat them at the ballot box.”

Oyindoubra warned that the alleged pattern of provocation and obstruction could heighten political tensions and potentially turn political disagreements into community conflicts.

He urged political actors to exercise restraint, warning against pushing citizens to the point where they conclude that confrontation was the only means of being heard.

‘DON’T LOSE FAITH IN BALLOT BOX’

The NDC chairman also linked the alleged suppression of opposition activities to a broader crisis of confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Drawing on the writings of Karl Marx on inequality, exploitation, alienation and concentration of power, Oyindoubra argued that widespread poverty, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power could deepen citizens’ sense of alienation from government.

He warned that when citizens perceive government institutions as partisan or believe legitimate political competition is being frustrated, they could begin to question the value of participating in elections.

“When citizens lose faith in elections, political legitimacy becomes weaker,” he said, warning that frustration could eventually migrate from the ballot box into the streets.

He therefore urged Nigerians not to abandon the democratic process because of frustration or intimidation, but to resist injustice through peaceful, lawful and organised civic participation.

‘DELTA MUST NOT BECOME THEATRE OF POLITICAL CRISIS’

The NDC chairman said Delta State must not become a theatre for what he described as incumbency-driven political crisis.

According to him, Deltans were more interested in roads, jobs, security, education, healthcare, economic opportunities and accountable leadership than political intimidation.

“Governance should be about improving the lives of the people and not intimidating those who disagree with you,” he said.

He called on security agencies and other relevant institutions to remain impartial and professional, stressing that state institutions belonged to the Nigerian people and not to the APC, NDC or any other political organisation.

He demanded that where laws had been violated, the law should take its course, while allegations of destruction of political materials should be investigated and any public officials found culpable should be held accountable.

‘DON’T BE AFRAID OF NDC’

In a direct message to the APC, Oyindoubra challenged the ruling party to embrace competition and allow voters to freely determine the political future of the state.

“Do not be afraid of competition. Do not be afraid of the NDC. Do not be afraid of our message. Do not be afraid of the Nigerian people,” he said.

He insisted that the real test of democracy was not whether a ruling party could defeat the opposition, but whether those in power could tolerate opposition, allow critics to speak and permit citizens to freely compare political alternatives.

The NDC chairman declared that his party would not be intimidated or silenced, pledging to continue organising, mobilising and engaging voters through lawful and peaceful means.

“Defeat our arguments with stronger arguments. Defeat our policies with better policies. Defeat our candidates by earning the confidence of the electorate. But do not attempt to defeat democracy itself,” he said.

He concluded with a stark warning to political authorities:

“Nigeria is bigger than any political party. Delta State is bigger than any political office holder. And democracy is bigger than incumbency.

“Let the people speak. Let the people choose. Let democracy prevail.”