Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) of looting shops and destroying campaign billboards in his community in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
Keyamo made the allegation in a post on his X account on Sunday, saying the incident occurred on Friday, September 18, 2026, during a period of heightened political activity in the state.
According to the minister, the alleged attackers vandalised billboards put up by Tompolo’s Door-to-Door Campaign Organisation and subsequently entered shops in the area, where he alleged that property was looted.
“I want the world to see what the NDC’s thugs came to my community in Effurun, Uvwie LGA of Delta State, to do on Friday, 18th September, 2026,” Keyamo said.
“They wrecked havoc on billboards pasted everywhere by Tompolo’s door-to-door Campaign Organisation, entered people’s shops with dangerous weapons and looted the shops.”
Keyamo also criticised what he described as a double standard in the public response to political violence, arguing that similar incidents involving members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would have attracted stronger reactions from sections of the media and civil society groups.
“If it had been the other way round against the APC, the section of the bias Press and so-called human rights groups would have been screaming to high heavens, but since this happened, everywhere is mute,” he said.
The minister linked the incident to the recent controversy surrounding the reported blockade of the entourage of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi in Benue State. Keyamo said he had previously condemned that incident but considered the Effurun episode more serious.
“This is the exact point I made when I openly condemned the blockade of Peter Obi’s entourage from entering Benue State. But what happened in Benue is nothing compared to this,” he said.
Keyamo further alleged that some law enforcement officers were present alongside those responsible for the reported attack.
“The video is clear and the evidence is overwhelming. We have more evidence. The thugs were even accompanied by law-enforcement agents in their payroll.”
The minister said he had cautioned his supporters against retaliatory action and insisted that the matter should be handled through the appropriate authorities.
“I have warned everyone not to resort to self-help,” he said.
Keyamo also announced plans to petition the Inspector-General of Police over the incident, calling for an investigation and appropriate action against anyone found culpable.
The allegations came amid a confrontation involving suspected supporters of the APC and NDC during an NDC mobilisation march in Effurun on September 18. The Delta State Government subsequently directed security agencies to investigate the incident and prosecute anyone found responsible. The government also said political rivalry should not degenerate into violence, thuggery or intimidation.
As of the latest reports, Keyamo’s allegations of looting and the alleged involvement of law enforcement personnel had not been independently established. His planned petition to the police is expected to provide an avenue for the authorities to investigate the claims and determine those responsible.
