Ganagana Ends 27-year Political Dominance Of Mutu As Delta Reps’ Member

A former speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly (DSHA), Hon. Basil Ganagana, has emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency seat for the 2027 general elections.

The result effectively marked the end of Nicholas Mutu’s over 27-year dominance in the National Assembly following growing calls within the constituency for political power rotation and leadership renewal.

Ganagana recorded a landslide victory in the party’s House of Representatives primary election, polling an overwhelming 4,320 votes to defeat longtime federal lawmaker, Nicholas Mutu, who secured 392 votes in the keenly contested primary held on Saturday in Bomadi.

Declaring the result, the returning officer for the Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency primary, Fidelis Tilije, announced Ganagana as the duly elected APC candidate amid jubilant celebrations by party supporters and stakeholders.

The victory sparked widespread reactions across the constituency, with many party faithful describing the outcome as a turning point in the political history of Bomadi and Patani local government areas.

In a statement issued shortly after the exercise by concerned stakeholders and citizens of the constituency and signed by Hon. Tonye Timi, the group hailed Ganagana’s emergence as a triumph for fairness, democratic inclusion, equity, and the collective will of the people.

According to the stakeholders, the outcome of the primary election represents the beginning of a new era of hope, unity, and broader political participation within the constituency.

“Today marks not just a political victory, but the beginning of a new chapter of hope, unity, inclusion, and broader participation for our people,” the statement read.

The group also expressed appreciation to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for what it described as his commitment to fairness, justice, political stability, and statesmanship throughout the primary process.

Special commendation was also extended to Emonena Victor Wayles Egukawhore for his sacrifices, strategic support, and dedication to equitable representation during the political process.

The stakeholders further acknowledged the contributions of former Senator James Manager, party leaders, youths, women, elders, and supporters across Bomadi and Patani who, they said, stood firmly in support of democratic expansion and a peaceful political transition.

Before the primary election, the constituency witnessed intense political tension and sustained media exchanges between supporters of Mutu and advocates of power rotation.

While Mutu’s supporters argued that the Nigerian Constitution does not place any limit on the number of terms a legislator can serve in the National Assembly, opponents maintained that democracy without leadership rotation undermines equity, justice, and fair representation.

Political observers say the margin of victory recorded by Ganagana reflects growing public support for leadership change within the constituency after nearly three decades of representation by Mutu.

With the APC primaries concluded in most federal constituencies across Delta State, political activities are expected to intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections as parties begin strategic mobilisation across the state.