ASABA/Nigeria: Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, has emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Delta Central, defeating former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, by a wide margin in the exercise conducted across the district.
The result was announced by the Secretary of the APC National Assembly Primary Committee, Barr. Nusa Amagbor, while the Delta North outcome was declared by the returning officer, Mr. Eugene Odo, both of whom affirmed the successful conduct of the primaries and the emergence of the winners in their respective districts.
The Delta Central primary, conducted through the direct primary system under Option A4, witnessed voting across all wards in the eight local government areas making up the senatorial district, with party members turning out in large numbers for the exercise which stakeholders described as peaceful, transparent and credible.
Declaring the result, Barr. Amagbor disclosed that Senator Dafinone secured an overwhelming 116,252 votes to defeat Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who polled 3,643 votes.
Addressing party stakeholders during the declaration, Amagbor commended members for the orderly conduct that characterised the exercise.
“Party stakeholders in Delta Central, our proceedings here today have been peaceful, and we sincerely thank you all for your cooperation and orderly conduct throughout this exercise,” he said.
He explained that the direct primary method had consistently been adopted for elections in Delta State, including those for the House of Representatives and Senate seats, noting that the process had been duly concluded before the official declaration.
“Based on the authenticated results before me; Senator Ede Dafinone scored a total of 116,252 votes, his opponent scored a total of 3,643 votes.
“Having satisfied all the requirements of our great party and having secured the highest number of valid votes cast in this primary, Senator Ede Dafinone is hereby declared the winner of the Delta Central Senatorial District primary election,” he added.
In Delta North Senatorial District, former Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, emerged victorious after polling 113,309 votes to defeat incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko who scored 2,612 votes, while Mariam Ali garnered 40 votes.
Announcing the Delta North result, returning officer Mr. Eugene Odo declared that Senator Okowa, having fulfilled all party requirements and secured the highest number of valid votes cast, had emerged winner of the senatorial primary election.
Meanwhile, results emerging from Delta South Senatorial District indicated that incumbent Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas was leading in six out of the eight local government areas in the district as collation continued.
The results across the senatorial districts were announced in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who monitored the exercise.
Reacting to his victory amid jubilation by supporters, Senator Dafinone described the primary process as transparent and commended party members across Delta Central for their support and confidence in him.
“What is my comment and assessment of the election, and what is my overall take? First of all, let me say that the process of the primaries was conducted in a manner that was transparent, open, free, and fair,” he said.
He added: “Delta Central is, of course, a highly political terrain, and I want to use this opportunity to thank all those who supported me throughout our great party in achieving this victory today.
“I will also take this opportunity to call on Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to join forces with other members of our party so that we can work together for victory in 2027 across all positions.”
