Aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State have called on Barrister Ejaife Odebala to join the 2027 governorship race, signalling deepening divisions within the party ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The call was made during a meeting held in Umu EzeUgbomah village, Umuezei Quarters, Asaba, where party members drawn from all 25 local government areas of the state converged to deliberate on the party’s future and leadership direction.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the group said it was prepared to explore the option of direct primaries to ensure that Odebala emerges as the party’s standard bearer for the 2027 Delta State governorship election.
The members said their position followed the decision of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to return to the Senate, a development they argued has created a leadership vacuum within the party’s governorship ranks in the state.
According to them, Odebala, described as a longstanding stakeholder from the Okpe axis of the Urhobo nation, is best positioned to lead the aggrieved bloc and represent its interests in the forthcoming primaries.
“The decision was reached following the return of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to the Senate.
”Ejaife Odebala, being a critical stakeholder in the old APC family from the Okpe axis of the Urhobo nation, is now the most appropriate to fly the flag of the aggrieved members,” the statement read.
The group, however, issued a warning to the national leadership of the party, stating that any move to reserve the governorship ticket for the incumbent governor could trigger a mass defection.
They declared that in such a scenario, they would back Odebala to contest under an alternative political platform, insisting that the move would be necessary to protect the “dignity of old APC members” and respond to widespread dissatisfaction among Delta residents.
“However, we have further resolved that if the National Leadership of APC has reserved the ticket for the incumbent Governor, we the aggrieved members shall move with Ejaife Odebala into another political party to contest the election,” the group stated.
The members described Odebala as a prominent figure in Delta politics, noting that his experience and political pedigree place him in a strong position to offer what they termed “quality leadership and service” to the people of the state.
The statement was endorsed by party stakeholders across the three senatorial districts—Delta South, Delta North and Delta Central—highlighting the breadth of support for the resolution within the aggrieved faction.
