Deputy President of the Senate in the 9th National Assembly, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has urged Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party, stating they are not welcome in the All Progressives Congress.
Senator Omo-Agege, who was the APC’s governorship candidate in the 2023 Delta State election, emphasized that the party’s influence in the state continues to grow. He pointed out that the only remaining PDP senator is expected to join the APC, and that several House of Representatives members are also preparing to switch parties.
Speaking at an APC leaders, elders, and stakeholders meeting in Ika South and Ika North East Local Government Areas on Monday, Omo-Agege made it clear that while the APC is open to welcoming several PDP members, including Senator Ned Nwoko and some members of the House of Representatives, it has no interest in the inclusion of Oborevwori and Okowa.
He highlighted the strength of the APC in the state despite the PDP’s claims that the party no longer had a presence in Delta. He pointed out that the APC secured two senatorial seats and two House of Representatives seats in the 2023 elections, and that the only PDP senator in the state is now set to join the APC.
Omo-Agege also discussed the APC’s dominance in the Delta Central Senatorial District, where both he and Governor Oborevwori come from. He stated that the APC won the senatorial seat, two of the three House of Representatives seats, and five out of nine House of Assembly seats in the region. He questioned the claims that the PDP was the more popular party in the state.
Accusing Oborevwori’s administration of attempting to downplay the APC’s growing influence, Omo-Agege noted that the APC had still managed to secure the required 25% of votes in Ika South and Ika North East, despite the presence of a sitting PDP governor and a former vice-presidential candidate.
He reassured party members that any internal issues within the Delta APC would be addressed before the 2027 elections and emphasized that the PDP’s national crisis could render the party irrelevant by then. He urged members to focus on the upcoming elections and the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
Omo-Agege also stated that the success of Tinubu’s policies has made the APC the most attractive party in Delta, drawing the attention of several political figures. However, he reiterated that the party would not accept any defections from Oborevwori and Okowa, asserting that the APC had been built from the ground up and would not allow individuals with questionable records to undermine its progress.
He added that several House of Assembly members were also expected to join the APC, citing dissatisfaction with Oborevwori’s administration, which he claimed was stifling the voices of Delta State’s lawmakers. However, he made it clear that Governor Oborevwori and Okowa were not welcome in the APC and should remain in the PDP to rebuild their party.
Barr. Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, assured members that the APC National Chairman and other key stakeholders are committed to resolving any internal issues within the Delta State chapter before the 2027 elections.
Several other party leaders who attended the meeting, including Hon. Fada Ibudeh, Chief Stevenson Ikpade, Chief Sunny Chuks Obuseh, Hon. Fred Ofume, Pst. Paul Ebede, Lady Philomena Agholor, Dr. Goddy Ibeh, Dr. Chamberlain Dunkwu, Mr. Godwin Ogadi, and Barr. Eugene Uzum, emphasized the need for genuine reconciliation to strengthen the APC in Delta ahead of the 2027 elections.
He stated, “After the 2023 elections, the PDP spread false propaganda, claiming that APC no longer exists in Delta. Yet, this is a state where APC won two senatorial seats and two House of Reps seats. Today, the only PDP senator is set to join APC, and you are still saying we are not on the ground? Are we not the majority party?”
“In Delta Central Senatorial District, where I and Governor Oborevwori comes from, APC won the senatorial seat, two of the three House of Representative seats, while the remaining one was won by the Labour Party. PDP won none. Also, out of nine House of Assembly seats in Delta Central, APC secured five, while PDP got four. So, which party is truly more popular?”
“We should stop focusing on our internal issues and instead take advantage of the PDP’s bigger problems. Are we even sure PDP will still exist in 2027? Their crisis at the national level is worsening. Our focus should be on winning the next elections and re-electing President Bola Tinubu.
“He added, “Soon, we will have three senators, and I am aware that the three PDP House of Reps members are joining APC. Some House of Assembly members will also join us. We welcome everyone except Oborevwori and Okowa. They should remain in PDP and rebuild their party.”
“Some House of Assembly members will also come to APC. You know that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s government is punishing Delta State House Assembly members. You can’t even speak as a member; if you dare speak, you will be slammed with suspension. So, they are all coming, and we welcome them; the only two people who are not welcomed are Governor Sheriff and Okowa. They should remain in PDP and build their party.
“Stay united, stay strong, and thank you once again for your dedication and hard work,” Omo-Agege added.
