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For Former Governor IFEANYI OKOWA
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Details Of DELTA North Senate Race
The 2027 Delta North senatorial battle promises to be an exciting one .It is one election that many Deltans are looking forward to owing to the fact that it involves two powerhouses in the politics of the state.In the red corner is Ex- Delta state House of Assembly Speaker, Victor Ochei while the blue corner presents former governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
Before now, both belonged to the ruling APC until a few weeks back when disgruntled figures moved places following the controversial primaries nationwide.
The controversy coincided with a wave of defections by prominent party figures, including former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege,Ochei and former adviser to the governor on health, Prof. Rukevwe Ugwumba, and others – a development many observers believe have exposed deep cracks within the ruling party in Delta.
For many political stakeholders, the outcome of the APC primaries has reinforced fears that Delta politics is increasingly being dominated by a small circle of influential families, particularly those linked to former governors who have remained major power brokers in the state long after leaving office.
At the centre of the debate are three former governors, James Ibori, Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Ifeanyi Okowa, whose political influence continues to shape the state’s electoral landscape.
Ibori, the godfather of Delta politics served as governor from 1999 to 2007. Uduaghan served until 2015, and then Okowa led the state from 2015 to 2023.
All three former governors are political allies. Ibori and Uduaghan are cousins, while Okowa is widely regarded as Ibori’s close ally although both fell out in the run up to the 2023 elections that brought in Gov. Oborevwori. While Ibori supported Omo – Agege against Okowa ‘s choice of Oborevwori , who eventually won.
The two have since made up. Party stakeholders note that the last APC primary elections produced outcomes favourable to members of their families.
Among those who emerged from the APC primaries are Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of James Ibori, for the House of Representatives; Orode Uduaghan, daughter of Emmanuel Uduaghan, for the Delta State House of Assembly; and Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, daughter of former Governor Okowa, who also secured a House of Assembly ticket.
The development has fuelled allegations that political power in Delta State is increasingly being concentrated within a handful of families, a claim that has generated widespread reactions across the state.
Aggrieved party members argued that while the daughters of former governors are constitutionally qualified to seek public office, the circumstances surrounding their emergence have raised concerns about fairness, internal democracy, and equal opportunities for other aspirants.
Their concerns intensified further with the emergence of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the APC senatorial candidate for Delta North, alongside his daughter and Osazuwa, a close family relation, contesting other elective positions. For critics, the development represents an unprecedented concentration of political influence in just a few bloodline.
One of them is former Speaker, Victor Ochei. The Engineer turned politician has emerged as one of the most vocal opponents of the political arrangement.
After dumping the APC and pursuing his senatorial ambition on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Ochei recently launched a stinging criticism of Okowa, accusing the former governor of attempting to establish a political dynasty in Delta North.
He alleged that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori personally approached him with offers aimed at persuading him to withdraw from the Delta North senatorial contest in favour of Okowa.
According to him, he rejected the proposal because his decision to contest was driven by a desire to resist political impunity and challenge the concentration of power within one family.
The former Speaker argued that Delta North should not be subjected to a situation where a former governor, his daughter, and his in-law simultaneously occupy or seek key elective positions.
He further accused Okowa of continuing to exert significant influence over the state’s political structure despite leaving office, alleging that such influence limits political competition and discourages the emergence of new leaders.
Ochei maintained that political leadership should not become a family enterprise, insisting that Delta North is blessed with numerous competent individuals capable of serving in public office.
The former Speaker said: “God has blessed him (Okowa), councillor, chairman, commissioner, Secretary to the State Government, senator, governor, and even vice-presidential candidate. What else does he want? It is better to leave the stage when the ovation is loudest.”
Ochei’s remarks have resonated with sections of the electorate who believe Delta politics requires fresh faces and broader participation. Across Delta North, opposition to the former governor’s senatorial ambition has continued to gather momentum.
The Coalition of Delta North Youths, a pan-senatorial movement representing various communities and youth groups, publicly opposed Okowa’s Senate bid.
They contended that younger politicians deserve greater opportunities to participate in leadership and contribute to the district’s development.
Some political observers view Okowa’s political actions as overly ambitious.
The dispute underscores a growing tension between established political structures and an increasingly vocal population demanding broader participation in governance in Delta State.
As preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections, the controversy surrounding the Delta North Senate seat will be one of the defining moments in years to come.The 47year old
Ochei comes from Onicha Olona while Okowa,who is 66 hails from Agbor.
Wole Alakija
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