2027: Omo-Agege To Battle Dafinone For Delta Central APC Ticket

A fresh political contest is brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State as former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has declared his intention to contest the Delta Central Senatorial District seat in 2027 elections, setting the stage for a likely showdown with the incumbent Senator, Ede Dafinone.

Omo-Agege, a lawyer who represented Delta Central in the Senate from 2015 to 2023 and served as Deputy Senate President between 2019 and 2023, made his declaration in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday morning.

Announcing his ambition, he said, “Driven by patriotic duty, resourceful service, and a hopeful vision for our future, I, Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, KSJI, Deputy President of the 9th Senate, hereby declare my intention to contest the Delta Central Senatorial District seat in 2027 on the platform of the APC.”

His declaration signalled a return bid to the National Assembly, barely four years after leaving office, and is expected to trigger a keen contest for the party’s ticket with Dafinone, who currently represents the district in the Senate under the same platform.

Omo-Agege said his decision followed extensive consultations and growing calls from constituents urging him to return to legislative service.

“This is not a light decision. It is borne out of broad consultations with my family, leaders, and stakeholders across all eight Local Government Areas of Delta Central. It is a response to the humbling calls by our electorate, constituents, professionals, and supporters that I return to the Senate to serve our common good and give unflinching support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he stated.

He maintained that there was widespread support across the district for his return, noting that the Urhobo Nation required experienced representation in the Senate.

“Across Delta Central; Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Udu, Okpe, Sapele, Uvwie, Ethiope East, and Ethiope West, there is clear consensus that the Urhobo Nation deserves an experienced, smart, resourceful, purpose-driven, compassionate, and courageous voice in the Senate once again,” he said.

Framing his decision as both a personal and collective responsibility, Omo-Agege added, “After deep reflection on our people’s call, and having sought the face of our Lord Jesus Christ in prayer, I have concluded that service to my people is a divine duty. I therefore humbly yield to their call.”

Omo-Agege emphasised that his ambition was focused on advancing the interests of Delta Central rather than personal gain.

“This decision is not about me. It is about elevating Delta Central to a place of respect, influence and action. It is about ensuring the 5th largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria plays its divine role with wisdom and strength in shaping our democracy. Our role in lawmaking, budgeting, and policy must be intentionally engaging and resourceful, not cosmetic, dull, or insipid,” he said.

Reflecting on his previous tenure, the lawyer described his years in the Senate as a period of impactful leadership.

“From 2015 to 2023, with your support, I had the honour of serving as your Senator and was elected Deputy President of the 9th Senate. By your testimonies, I am humbled that those eight years remain our golden years in parliamentary leadership, ” he added.

With Omo-Agege’s entry into the race, attention is expected to shift to the APC’s internal dynamics in Delta Central, as party stakeholders weighed their options ahead of what could become a highly competitive primary between the former Senate leadership figure and the incumbent lawmaker Dafinone.