Tension has heightened in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State following an alleged attack on members of the New Democratic Congress (NDC) campaign team in Okpai, where several vehicles were reportedly destroyed and scores of party members injured.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, when suspected political thugs allegedly prevented the NDC campaign team from entering Okpai community during a campaign tour ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The campaign team was led by Mr Ugochukwu Lucky Nwokolo, the NDC candidate for the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.
According to reports, the team was scheduled to visit Okpai following an invitation from members of the community who had expressed interest in receiving the candidates and members of the party.
However, the planned engagement was reportedly disrupted when suspected political thugs allegedly mounted a blockade, preventing the campaign team from gaining access to the community.
The situation reportedly degenerated into violence, resulting in the destruction of several vehicles belonging to the NDC campaign team, while scores of party members sustained varying degrees of injuries.
A member of the NDC in Ndokwa East, who spoke on the incident, alleged that the attackers were mobilised by Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, the incumbent member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and an All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
The allegation was made against the backdrop of the fact that Ezechi is from Okpai community. However, no independent confirmation of the allegation or response from the lawmaker was contained in the report.
Reacting to the incident, a member of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Prince Emeka Osamuta, condemned the attack, describing political violence as unacceptable in a democratic society.
Osamuta expressed concern over the reported assault on members of the opposition party, insisting that political disagreements should not be settled through intimidation, destruction of property or physical attacks.
He said: “I strongly condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the violent attack on members of the NDC who were on their way to Okpai. Violence has no place in our politics.”
The lawmaker’s reaction underscores growing concerns over the safety of political parties and their supporters as political activities intensify across Delta State.
The Okpai incident is also coming against the backdrop of another reported political disturbance in Asaba last week, where suspected APC supporters allegedly attacked participants in a peaceful One Million March organised in support of Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate.
The development has renewed concerns about the growing resort to political intimidation and violence, particularly as political parties step up grassroots mobilisation and campaign activities.
The relevant security agencies are also expected to investigate the reported attack, establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring anyone found culpable to justice, irrespective of political affiliation.
At press time, the member representing Ukwuani/Ndokwa Constituencies is yet issue a statement regarding the incident
