- Hails Tinubu’s Successes, Accomplishments
By Kolawole Ojebisi
Former Deputy President of the Senate and Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2023 governorship elections, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has urged the incumbent governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa to remain in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) instead of contemplating defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Omo-Agege said that the APC in Delta State has continued to gain momentum in the state without the duo, stressing that the governor and his predecessor should stay put in their party and help “rebuild the PDP”, stressing that they were behind massive propaganda against the APC controlled federal government and the APC in the State.
Omo-Agege added that the Delta State APC doesn’t need people like Okowa and Oborevwori because the party will triumph in 2027 as it is the party of attraction with strong momentum.
He buttressed his position by stating that the only PDP senator in the state is about to join the APC while adding that about three House of Representatives members from the rival party are preparing to switch allegiance.
The former legislator, however, maintained that defecting to the APC is not an all comers’ affair, adding that certain politicians will not be welcome in the party based on their past remarks on the APC
Senator Omo-Agege, who was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 Delta State election, stated that the doors of the APC are not open to the incumbent Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Delta State.
Omo-Agege spoke during an APC leaders, elders, and stakeholders meeting on Monday in Ika South and Ika North East Local Government Areas.
He emphasized that the party is open to welcoming Senator Ned Nwoko, members of the House of Representatives, House of Assembly members, and other PDP leaders.
Speaking on the reason why Oborevwori and Okowa won’t be accepted in the APC, Omo-Agege said the duo were behind malicious propaganda spread against the party, and the APC after the outcome of the 2023 governorship election in the state.
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 come in 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?”
Omo-Agege accused Oborevwori’s administration of attempting to downplay APC’s strength despite the party’s growing influence. He also highlighted that despite the presence of a sitting PDP governor and a former vice-presidential candidate in the person of Okowa in Ika South and Ika North East, APC still secured the required 25% of votes in the last election.
He reassured party members that any internal issues within Delta APC would be resolved ahead of 2027, emphasizing that PDP’s national crisis could render it irrelevant by the next election cycle.
“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.”
Omo-Agege further stated that the successes of Tinubu’s policies have made APC the most attractive party in Delta State, drawing interest from several political figures. However, he firmly rejected any potential defection by Okowa and Oborevwori, saying, “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 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.
