Former deputy senate president Ovie Omo-Agege has said his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress was driven by what he described as the effective takeover of the party’s structure in Delta State following the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, the former Delta governorship candidate accused the APC of marginalising long-standing members who had built the party’s support base in the state, while outlining his political plans ahead of the 2027 elections.
Omo-Agege claimed that party loyalists who campaigned and worked for the APC during the 2023 elections were pushed aside during recent congresses, arguing that the reorganisation of the party failed to recognise their contributions.
“My decision to leave the APC was not taken lightly,” he said. “After deep reflection and wide consultations, I found that the party structure in Delta State had been completely taken over following the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
“The loyal members who laboured for the party in 2023 were pushed aside during the recent congresses.”
The former deputy senate president said his departure followed extensive consultations with political allies, community leaders and supporters across Delta State, insisting that the move was neither impulsive nor unilateral.
Despite leaving the APC, Omo-Agege maintained that his political base remained intact, claiming that more than 240,000 voters who supported his governorship bid in 2023 continued to stand with him.
In a significant political shift, he announced his support for the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, saying his allegiance now rested with his new political platform.
“I have therefore chosen a new political direction where I can continue to serve my people effectively,” he said.
“In the NDC, I now align with Peter Obi because I believe he represents a people-first leadership that Nigeria urgently needs.”
Omo-Agege noted that while in the APC he had supported both former president Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu, arguing that his loyalty had always followed the platform under which he served.
“Now that I am in the NDC, my loyalty is to my party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi,” he said.
He also dismissed reports suggesting he had lost the NDC senatorial primary for Delta Central, insisting that he won in all eight local government areas within the district.
According to him, the party had neither officially released nor ratified the results, and claims to the contrary were politically motivated attempts to undermine his candidacy.
Turning his attention to governance in Delta State, Omo-Agege criticised the administration of Oborevwori, alleging that the state had received more than N3tn in revenue over the past three years without corresponding improvements in infrastructure and public services.
He further claimed that about N750bn remained idle in government accounts while residents continued to grapple with poverty, unemployment, insecurity and deteriorating infrastructure.
The former lawmaker expressed confidence in his party’s governorship candidate, describing him as experienced and capable of providing effective leadership.
He argued that public office should be judged not by titles or political influence but by the prudent management of resources and tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.
While acknowledging economic reforms introduced by Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange liberalisation, Omo-Agege said the success of such policies would depend largely on effective implementation and their impact on ordinary Nigerians.
Looking ahead to 2027, he rejected suggestions that his political career had been diminished by his departure from the APC, insisting that there were no legal, political or electoral obstacles standing in the way of his future ambitions.
