By Mokobia Rita.
Asaba/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has dismissed concerns over the resignation of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, from the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the development poses no threat to the party’s political fortunes in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an appearance on ARISE Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, the governor said the APC leadership in Delta State had long anticipated Omo-Agege’s departure and was therefore neither surprised nor unsettled by his decision to leave the party.
According to Oborevwori, signs that the former Deputy Senate President was preparing to exit the APC had become evident months before his eventual defection to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“We were aware of his exit, and that was why he was not serious in the context of the primaries. He never consulted anybody, he never consulted me, he never called party leaders,” the governor stated.
The governor maintained that the APC remains united and focused on its political objectives, stressing that the party’s strength transcends any individual.
“His departure is not a threat to us because APC is a big party,” Oborevwori declared.
He argued that Omo-Agege’s approach to the APC Delta Central Senatorial primary reflected a lack of commitment to the party’s internal processes, noting that he failed to engage party leaders and stakeholders before entering the contest.
Drawing a comparison with his own political journey, Oborevwori said he consulted widely and secured the support of party leaders before seeking a second term in office.
“As a governor, I met with people and told them, ‘Look, I want to go back for my second tenure.’ That is why nobody even indicated interest in contesting with me. We believe in the zoning arrangement in Delta State, and it is the turn of Delta Central,” he said.
The governor also dismissed suggestions that Omo-Agege’s political activities could weaken the APC’s hold on Delta Central Senatorial District, insisting that the party’s candidate, Senator Ede Dafinone, remains a formidable contender with a strong political pedigree and widespread acceptance across Urhobo land.
“The man who got the ticket in my party, Senator Ede Dafinone, is a gentleman. They have a reputation. Dafinone is a big name in the Urhobo nation because his father was a senator and he has contributed to the development of Delta State. So that legacy is there,” he said.
Oborevwori described the APC primary election that produced Dafinone as free, fair and transparent, urging aggrieved aspirants to accept the outcome in the interest of party unity.
“Somebody was given the opportunity, we conducted a free and fair primary and he lost. It is for him to embrace the outcome because the process was transparent. Very transparent. I am a democrat, so it was transparent,” he added.
The governor further alleged that Omo-Agege had a history of political disagreements with key figures who had supported his rise in politics, claiming that he had repeatedly fallen out with former political allies.
“This same man came into politics in 2002 with nothing. This state made him. The people who made him, he fought them. James Ibori made him, and he left. He betrayed Ogboru; he left. He fought others who helped him politically,” Oborevwori alleged.
Reaffirming his commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the governor described the President as his “biggest project” and said APC members across Delta State were already mobilising support to ensure Tinubu secures overwhelming votes in 2027.
He expressed confidence that political realities in the state had shifted in favour of the ruling party, insisting that many residents who previously supported opposition parties had now embraced the APC.
“Delta people were deceived earlier but not anymore. I can tell you categorically that no Delta person will vote against Tinubu. So we are not bothered about anybody leaving our party,” he said.
Oborevwori also attributed his confidence to the performance of his administration, noting that ongoing investments in infrastructure, security and development projects would serve as the APC’s strongest campaign assets.
“For me, I don’t think he is a threat because we are doing well as a state. What will make people support your party is what you are doing and what you are able to do. In terms of infrastructure, we are doing well. In terms of security, we are doing our best. You must have something to campaign with,” he stated.
The governor’s comments come amid heightened political realignments in Delta State following Omo-Agege’s departure from the APC and growing speculation over the shape of political alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite the shifting political landscape, Oborevwori expressed confidence that the APC would remain dominant in Delta State, insisting that the party’s future would be determined by its unity, leadership and performance rather than individual defections.
