Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has dismissed suggestions that former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, poses a political threat in the state, insisting that Senator Ede Dafinone remains a formidable force with deep-rooted influence across the Urhobo nation.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE Television on Tuesday, Oborevwori said Omo-Agege’s recent resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not come as a surprise, noting that several of his loyalists had exited the party months earlier.
“I will not use the word pretentious, but we saw it coming. Before he left, most of his people had already left over three months ago, so we were all aware,” the governor said.
Oborevwori argued that Omo-Agege’s approach to the APC Delta Central Senatorial primary reflected a lack of commitment to the process, claiming the former Deputy Senate President failed to engage key stakeholders before contesting.
“That was why he was not serious in the contest of the primaries because he never consulted anybody. He never consulted me. He never consulted the leaders. APC is a big party,” he stated.
The governor contrasted Omo-Agege’s actions with his own political strategy, revealing that he sought the support of party leaders before pursuing a second term.
“As a governor, I met with people and told them, ‘Look, I want to go back for my second tenure.’ That is why nobody even indicated interest in contesting with me. We believe in the zoning arrangement in Delta State, and it is the turn of Delta Central,” he said.
Reacting to speculation that Omo-Agege’s political moves could affect APC’s fortunes in Delta Central, Oborevwori was emphatic that the former lawmaker does not constitute a threat.
“He is not a threat because I have won it before,” the governor declared.
He also praised Senator Ede Dafinone, the APC candidate for Delta Central Senatorial District, describing him as a respected politician whose family legacy commands influence throughout Urhoboland.
“The man who got the ticket in my party, Senator Ede Dafinone, is a gentleman. They have a reputation. Dafinone is a big name in the Urhobo nation because his father was a senator and he has contributed to the development of Delta State. So that legacy is there,” Oborevwori said.
The governor maintained that the APC primary election that produced Dafinone was free, fair and transparent, urging Omo-Agege to accept the outcome.
“Somebody was given the opportunity, we conducted a free and fair primary and he lost. It is for him to embrace the outcome because the process was transparent. Very transparent. I am a democrat, so it was transparent,” he added.
Oborevwori further questioned Omo-Agege’s political loyalty, alleging that the former Deputy Senate President has a history of falling out with political allies and benefactors.
“This same man came into politics in 2002 with nothing. This state made him. The people who made him, he fought them. James Ibori made him, and he left. He betrayed Ogboru; he left. He fought others who helped him politically,” the governor alleged.
Despite the political developments, Oborevwori expressed confidence in his administration’s performance, insisting that governance and service delivery remain the strongest tools for winning public support.
“For me, I don’t think he is a threat because we are doing well as a state. What will make people support your party is what you are doing and what you are able to do. In terms of infrastructure, we are doing well. In terms of security, we are doing our best. You must have something to campaign with,” he said.
The governor’s remarks come amid heightened political activity in Delta State following Omo-Agege’s departure from the APC and growing speculation over possible realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
