Former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, has declared victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta Central Senatorial Primary Election, despite the absence of an official declaration from the party’s national leadership.
In a statement released after the exercise, Omo-Agege expressed appreciation to party leaders, delegates, and members across Delta Central Senatorial District for what he described as overwhelming support during the primary election.
According to him, results collated from all 85 wards spread across the eight local government areas of the district showed that he emerged victorious in the contest.
He stated that the voting pattern across the district reflected the confidence and trust party members placed in his leadership and vision for Delta Central.
The former governorship candidate noted that the outcome of the primary was a strong endorsement of his commitment to strengthening the APC and providing effective representation for the people at the national level.
He further commended party members for maintaining unity, discipline, and orderliness throughout the exercise, describing the conduct of delegates and supporters as a demonstration of party cohesion and democratic maturity.
Omo-Agege said attention would now shift toward preparations for the forthcoming general election, where he hopes to secure the Delta Central Senate seat for the APC.
He also pledged to work toward delivering Delta State for Bola Tinubu in the presidential election.
While insisting that the mandate had already been secured at the grassroots level, he acknowledged that the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja still had the responsibility of making the official declaration in line with APC procedures.
He therefore urged party supporters and members across the district to remain calm, united, and focused while awaiting the final announcement from the APC leadership.
Describing the development as a victory for fairness, progress, and party unity, Omo-Agege assured supporters that he would continue to defend the interests of Delta Central and contribute to the growth of the APC in Delta State and across Nigeria.
The statement was signed by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who contested the primary as an aspirant for the Delta Central Senatorial District seat.
However, in a contrasting development, incumbent Senator Ede Dafinone was officially declared winner of the APC senatorial primary for Delta Central, securing the party’s ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections after a sweeping victory across all eight local government areas in the district.
The primary election, conducted through the direct voting system (Option A4), saw party members cast their votes at ward levels in a process described by officials as peaceful, orderly, and transparent.
The exercise recorded high turnout across Delta Central.
Dafinone delivered a dominant performance against Omo-Agege, winning by large margins in all LGAs.
Results showed overwhelming support for the incumbent senator, effectively leaving little contest in several areas where the gap in votes was substantial.
Collation officials announced that Dafinone polled a total of 116,252 votes, while Omo-Agege secured 3,643 votes.
The wide margin underscored the strength of Dafinone’s grassroots structure and his consolidation of support within the APC in the district.
Omo-Agege, who previously represented Delta Central in the Senate and served as Deputy Senate President, had returned to contest the ticket after his 2023 governorship bid ended in defeat.
However, his political comeback attempt in the senatorial race did not gain enough traction among party delegates.
Party officials declared the process valid and compliant with APC guidelines, affirming that the exercise reflected the will of party members across wards in the senatorial district.
Following the announcement, reactions from stakeholders highlighted the peaceful nature of the election, with some party leaders describing the outcome as a reflection of internal democratic maturity within the APC in Delta Central.
In his acceptance remarks, Dafinone commended the process and called for unity within the party, urging supporters and opponents alike to work together ahead of the 2027 elections.
