The Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, has warned the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and the Obidient Movement against political violence following an incident in Asaba, Delta State, that reportedly left one person dead and several others injured.
Azinge, the 14th Asagba of Asaba, described the violence, which occurred on Saturday, November 7, 2026, as unacceptable and warned that the city must not become a battleground for political disagreements and struggles for supremacy.
In a statement issued on Sunday, November 8, the traditional ruler said reports suggested that the incident involved rival factions associated with the NDC and the Obidient Movement, although investigations into the circumstances were ongoing. 
He expressed concern that Asaba, which he described as a peaceful city, had become a scene of political violence.
“The loss of a human life over political disagreements is unacceptable. No political ambition, party loyalty, leadership dispute or struggle for supremacy is worth the blood of any Nigerian,” he said.
Addressing Obi directly, Azinge said the former Anambra State governor’s political influence and support, particularly among young Nigerians, should come with a responsibility to promote peaceful political participation.
“Mr. Peter Obi, leadership comes with responsibility. Your political influence and the support you command, particularly among young Nigerians, must be matched by an equally strong commitment to peaceful political participation,” the monarch stated.
He called on Obi and the leadership of the Obidient Movement to immediately caution their supporters against violence, intimidation, provocation and retaliation.
The Asagba said internal disagreements within political parties and movements should be resolved through dialogue and established party mechanisms rather than force or the use of dangerous weapons.
He also demanded an impartial investigation into the incident and urged authorities to identify and prosecute everyone found responsible.
Azinge further called on the movement’s leadership to urgently address its internal disagreements and ensure discipline among members and affiliated groups.
He said future political gatherings in Asaba should be properly coordinated with security agencies to prevent a recurrence, warning factions against organising retaliatory attacks or taking the law into their own hands.
“Let this be clearly understood: Asaba is not a battleground for political supremacy. Our people will not accept the importation of political hostility into our communities or the disruption of our peace in the name of party politics,” he warned.
The traditional ruler said political parties and movements were temporary, while Asaba and its people would remain, stressing that no political ambition should take precedence over the safety of residents
“Political parties and movements will come and go, elections will be won and lost, but Asaba and its people will remain. No political movement is greater than the peace of our land, and no political ambition is worth the life of our people,” he said.
He extended condolences to the family of the deceased and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
The monarch urged Obi to treat the warning with the seriousness it deserved, expressing hope that wisdom would prevail, justice would be served and peace would continue to reign in Asaba.
Earlier on Sunday, SaharaReporters reported that one person had been killed and five others injured after violence erupted at a political rally organised by NDC supporters in Asaba.
The incident reportedly involved an attack on members of the Obidient Movement, with the Delta State Deputy Coordinator, identified simply as Comrade Noah, among those injured. It was earlier reported that he was stabbed with daggers and was receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), while several other members also sustained injuries.
The National Coordinator of the Global Obidient Movement, Dr Mo, disclosed the attack in a statement condemning the violence and demanding an investigation into the incident.
However, the Delta State Police Command, in its account of the incident, confirmed that one person was killed and five others injured but did not identify the victims or establish who was responsible for the violence.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said the Command had received intelligence reports indicating the possibility of violence ahead of the rally.
He said the police subsequently invited the organisers to a security meeting, where they were briefed about the identified threats and advised against holding an open-road procession.
According to the police, the organisers were encouraged to conduct their political activities at a designated venue where adequate security arrangements could be provided.
However, the Command alleged that the organisers disregarded the advice and proceeded with the road procession.
The violence reportedly broke out at about 12:15 p.m. along Nnebisi Road, leaving one person dead and five others injured.
The police said operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene after receiving a distress call and evacuated the injured victims to a hospital for medical attention.
Security presence was subsequently reinforced in the area to prevent further violence and maintain law and order.
The Command said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Government blamed the attack on NDC supporters and members of the Obidient Movement, lamenting the organisers’ alleged failure to comply with police directives restricting the proposed street march.
Reacting to the tragic incident, the Delta State Government in statement issued by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, the state government condemned the violence, describing it as unacceptable and avoidable.
The government claimed that the violence could have been prevented if the organisers had heeded police advice to suspend the proposed street march and instead conduct their campaign at a designated venue.
It said the police had advised against the street procession, but the organisers allegedly failed to comply with the directive.
According to the commissioner, the attack “could have been avoided if the organisers had heeded police advice to shelve the proposed street march and hold their campaign at a designated venue.”
The state government called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that everyone found responsible for the violence was brought to justice.
It also warned political parties, their supporters and other political actors against engaging in violence, intimidation or activities capable of threatening public peace and security.
