By Philip Nwosu
Former Deputy Senate President and 2023 Delta State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has declared that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, are not welcome in the APC.
Speaking at a meeting of APC leaders, elders, and stakeholders in Ika South and Ika North East Local Government Areas on Monday, Omo-Agege emphasised that while the party is open to accepting Senator Ned Nwoko, some House of Representatives and House of Assembly members, it has no interest in welcoming Oborevwori and Okowa.
He dismissed claims that the APC had lost its influence in Delta State, highlighting the party’s growing dominance. “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?” he questioned.
Omo-Agege cited the APC’s performance in Delta Central Senatorial District, where he and Governor Oborevwori hail from. “APC won the senatorial seat, two of the three House of Representatives seats, while the Labour Party won the remaining one. PDP won none,” he stated. “Out of nine House of Assembly seats in Delta Central, APC secured five, while PDP got four. So, which party is truly more popular?”
He accused the Oborevwori administration of attempting to downplay the APC’s strength despite its increasing influence. He also noted that, despite the presence of a sitting PDP governor and a former vice-presidential candidate in Ika South and Ika North East, APC still managed to secure the required 25% of votes in the last election.
Omo-Agege assured party members that internal disputes within the Delta APC would be resolved ahead of the 2027 elections, predicting that the PDP’s ongoing national crisis could render it politically irrelevant. “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?” he asked. “Their crisis at the national level is worsening. Our focus should be on winning the next elections and re-electing President Bola Tinubu.”
He credited Tinubu’s policies for making the APC more attractive in Delta State, adding that more political figures were looking to join the party. However, he firmly rejected any potential defection by Okowa and Oborevwori. “We have built this party from scratch, and we will not allow people with questionable records to destroy what we have worked hard for,” he asserted.
Omo-Agege also revealed that additional PDP lawmakers were set to defect. “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,” he said.
He further alleged that Governor Oborevwori’s government was stifling members of the Delta State House of Assembly. “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 welcome are Governor Sheriff and Okowa.”
APC National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka, assured party 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 APC leaders, 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, echoed the need for genuine reconciliation to strengthen the party ahead of the next election cycle.