In a dramatic turn of events, the chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area in Delta State, Jaro Egbo, allegedly slapped the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area, Lucky Ofomukoro, following a heated argument during a town hall meeting.
Witnesses reported that the altercation quickly escalated as Ofomukoro retaliated, resulting in a physical fight between the two leaders.
The incident occurred on Wednesday during a meeting convened by the Senior Political Adviser to the state governor, Senator Emmanuel Edesiri Aguariavwodo.
The gathering, which was attended by Urhobo chiefs, political leaders, and members of the PDP, was thrown into chaos as the confrontation disrupted the proceedings.
According to sources, the altercation began when PDP Chairman Ofomukoro recognized a party member to speak during the meeting.
However, Council Chairman Jaro Egbo intervened, instructing the party member to sit down. Ofomukoro refused to back down, insisting on giving the member a chance to speak.
This disagreement reportedly infuriated Egbo, who allegedly responded by slapping Ofomukoro, prompting a swift retaliation.
A former councillor who witnessed the incident, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the clash and described it as an unfortunate disruption to what was supposed to be a peaceful dialogue.
“The chairman after slapping the party chairman in the glaring of everybody in the hall, the party chairman immediately retaliated in same manner and a little fight ensued and people came to separate them.
“The action of the council chairman was uncivilised, undemocratic and thuggery. The issue wouldn’t have caused anything but as usual, the council chairman took it upon himself to create a scene in the hall.
“Jaro, is always a problematic person, how can a person who can fight in the public be a council chairman for crying out loud? I witnessed the whole scenario, Jaro erred for first raising his hand to slap the party chairman. It was a very shameful scenario.
“However, the intervention of our leader, Senior Political Adviser to the state governor, Senator Emmanuel Edesiri Aguariavwodo and other leaders brought the situation under control and the meeting continued to the end.”
Meanwhile, at the meeting, the Senior Political Adviser to the state governor, Senator Emmanuel Edesiri Aguariavwodo passionately appealed to Urhobo monarchs, religious leaders, members of the party and the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) to rally behind the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to achieve his MORE agenda and to also support him for his second term bid come 2027.
The former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and former senator representing Delta Central senatorial district preached the need for peaceful co-existence, love and unity among the people of the senatorial district.
He added that “Your unity, peaceful co-existence and love will no doubt propel the way for the second tenure of our son, governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Let’s close ranks and work for the success of the party come 2027.”
When contacted, the chairman of Ughelli North council, Jaro Egbo denied slapping the party chairman adding that the person who brought the whole issue was allegedly sponsored by the All Progressive Congress (APC).
“It’s all a lie, I didn’t slap anybody. Yes, there was a scuffle caused by a boy who is of the APC. How can I slap the party chairman, he’s my boy, we made him the party chairman and even if I slap him, he can’t slap me back and that is it. But, there was nothing like slapping the party chairman during that meeting.”
Recall that some time in August an investigative journalist based in Delta State, Prince Amour Udemude, had raised the alarm over alleged threats to his life by the chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Jaro Egbo, popularly known as (High Voltage) who had vowed to take his (Armour’s) life should the journalist go ahead to report a story on hike in locked-up shops and open market shops.