By Esada Uyono,
SAPELE/Nigeria: Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta Central, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, has dismissed social media reports declaring former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, winner of the Delta Central Senatorial primary election, insisting that Senator Ede Dafinone remains the duly elected candidate of the party for the 2027 general elections.
Akpeki made the declaration on Tuesday during an interview with journalists at his country home in Sapele Local Government Area, describing the APC senatorial primary as free, fair and peaceful, and reflective of the will of party members across Delta Central.
According to him, the outcome of the election represented the collective decision of delegates and party faithful across the district.
“The people had their way. The voters had their way. The majority had their way. Today, we have Senator Ede Dafinone as our flag bearer for the 2027 elections,” Akpeki stated.
He maintained that the exercise was conducted by officials deployed from Abuja by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and followed all laid-down procedures.
Akpeki stressed that unofficial reports and social media narratives should not override officially declared results.
Reacting to claims challenging the outcome of the election, particularly reports suggesting victory for Senator Omo-Agege, the APC chairman insisted that only the results announced by the authorised party committee remained valid.
“Anybody can feel aggrieved, but if someone claims victory, how did he become the winner if he was not officially declared winner?” he queried.
Akpeki further disclosed that the official results announced by the APC committee showed Senator Ede Dafinone polling 116,252 votes against Senator Ovie Omo-Agege’s 3,643 votes.
“The figures are clear. Officials sent from Abuja by the National Working Committee conducted the primaries and declared a winner. Senator Ede Dafinone was declared winner, remains the winner, and is our candidate for the 2027 elections,” he added.
The Delta Central APC chairman also cautioned party members against relying on social media narratives, insisting that the party leadership remained guided by official procedures.
“I do not react to social media stories. I react to official information,” he said.
Speaking on the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 elections, Akpeki expressed confidence in the APC’s strength in Delta State and dismissed suggestions that the NDC was gaining political ground.
“As far as the APC is concerned, we are still firmly on ground. We will deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and all our candidates in 2027,” he stated.
He also commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for infrastructural development and continuity in governance across the state.
Akpeki cited road projects linking Asaba, Isoko and Ughelli, healthcare improvements, bursary payments and youth empowerment programmes as evidence of the governor’s performance.
“When somebody performs well, you praise him. I think the people of Delta State are blessed with Governor Oborevwori,” he said.
On post-primary reconciliation, the APC chairman assured members that efforts would be intensified to unite aggrieved stakeholders ahead of the general elections.
“The APC remains one family, and all of us will continue to work together. I can assure you that all will be well,” he concluded.
