The news that former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not come to many as a surprise especially those who follow Delta state politics religiously. It was a development long in coming.
In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Sunday Areh, a few days back,Senator Omo-Agege said his decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters, as well as recent developments within the party in Delta State.
The former lawmaker stated that his political aspirations and the interests of Delta Central are better pursued outside the APC, stressing that he could no longer remain in a party where he was unable to effectively advance the interests of his people.
He, however, appreciated the All Progressives Congress for the opportunity to serve as Deputy President of the 9th Senate and wished the party well, while reaffirming his commitment to the development of Delta Central, Delta State and the nation.
According to the statement, the former Deputy President of the Senate conveyed his decision in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Orogun Ward 2, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
“After reviewing recent developments within the APC in Delta State and consulting with my associates and supporters, it is clear that my political objectives and those of my constituents are better served outside the party,” he stated.
“I will not remain a sitting duck in a party where I cannot advance the interests of Delta Central, Delta State and Nigeria,” he added.
Omo-Agege also said he had requested that his name be removed from all party membership records, registers and communication lists.
The former lawmaker reaffirmed that his focus remains on delivering development and effective representation for Delta Central, Delta State and Nigeria, adding that he would continue to pursue those goals outside the APC.
Perhaps all those reasons can be likened to surface projectiles.There lay deep underlying factors not known to many outside of Delta politics that the reason is mostly a political power tussle over APC control in Delta State.Let us break down the fight between Omo Agege and the governor.
The root cause: Oborevwori defected to APC in April 2025. Gov Sheriff Oborevwori and former Gov Ifeanyi Okowa dumped PDP and moved into APC with the entire PDP structure in Delta in what President Tinubu called a “political tsunami” at the time.
The fight over who leads APC structure in Delta. Before the governor’s defection, Ovie Omo-Age was the APC leader in Delta and the party’s 2023 guber candidate.
After Oborevwori joined, he was immediately declared the new APC leader in Delta by VP Shettima,in furtherance of President Tinubu’s stance that all governors are automatic party leaders in their respective states.
Omo Agege first tried to stop Oborevwori and Okowa from joining APC- When that failed, he fought to stop Oborevwori from becoming party leader,while insisting he remained the party leader.
Oborevwori’s side would go on to say… “once the governor is in, he’s the leader”. Even the state APC Chairman, Omeni Sobotie pledged loyalty to Oborevwori.
2027 Governorship Angle:
Omo-Agege was eyeing the APC ticket for 2027. Oborevwori taking over the party structure has messed with that plan, which automatically activated Omo-Agege’s plan B of vying for the Delta Senate seat.
Some APC chieftains like late Peter Nwaoboshi advised Omo-Agege not to challenge Oborevwori for 2027, saying it’s hard to beat a sitting governor. Omo-Age’s camp pushed back and said he won’t surrender the ticket, a move which appears to have materialised, following his resignation from the party a few days back.
Public spats:
They’ve also clashed over issues like Oborevwori receiving the ThisDay “Governor of the Year” award. Omo-Age accused him of “mortgaging the state’s resources for personal recognition”. The governor’s camp called it “pepper-body” politics.
They also fought it out in court after the 2023 election. Omo-Age challenged Oborevwori’s victory up to the Appeal Court, which affirmed Oborevwori’.
Omo Agege has since joined the National Democratic Congress NDC to contest the Delta Central senatorial seat in next year’s election. He would be slugging it out with APC ‘s Ede Dafinone.
Wole Alakija
08055001823
