Asaba — Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege is reportedly preparing to quit the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a dramatic political shift that stands to reshape power equations in Delta State. Close insiders say his decision comes in the wake of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s high-profile defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC earlier this week.
A New Defection Sparks Fresh Realignments
TJ News Nigeria first broke the story of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s move when he formally resigned from the PDP on Wednesday, informing his cabinet and all local government chairmen of his decision before a scheduled induction into the APC on Monday. The governor’s switch triggered a statewide mobilization: commissioners, aides, and PDP executives at ward, local government, and state levels have been instructed to apply for APC membership cards ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Now, attention has turned to Omo-Agege, whose political pedigree—spanning roles as a two-term senator, deputy senate president (2019–2023), and powerful Delta State power broker—makes his potential departure from the ruling party especially consequential. Sources say Omo-Agege harbors deep reservations about Oborevwori’s entry into the APC fold, viewing the governor’s induction as an encroachment on his own sphere of influence.
Omo-Agege’s Political Journey
Ovie Omo-Agege rose through the ranks of the PDP before switching to the APC in the run-up to the 2019 elections. His defection at that time boosted the APC’s fortunes in the Niger Delta, lending it critical credibility in an area long seen as a PDP stronghold. As deputy senate president, Omo-Agege cultivated a reputation for shrewd legislative workmanship and strategic alliances, cementing his status as one of Delta’s foremost political strategists.
Despite his accomplishments, his relationship with Governor Oborevwori—once an ally in the PDP primary fight that propelled Omo-Agege to the Senate leadership—reportedly soured after the 2023 governorship election. Observers suggest that tensions over appointments, resource control, and party primaries have been simmering for months, with Oborevwori’s latest realignment acting as the final provocation.
Oborevwori’s Defection: Catalyst for Change
Governor Oborevwori’s decision to abandon the PDP came after intensive discussions with national APC figures, who have dangled promises of federal support and development projects. Fresh off the heels of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s defection—Oborevwori’s predecessor and former running mate to Atiku Abubakar—this move underscores the APC’s strategic push to consolidate the South-South region.
In a statement to his cabinet, Oborevwori emphasized that party affiliation was secondary to the welfare of Delta residents. He argued that alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s APC administration would unlock faster federal funding for critical infrastructure projects, from road construction and rural electrification to port modernization.
The governor’s departure has provoked mixed reactions: while APC stalwarts celebrated the gain, PDP loyalists decried what they called “an orchestrated hijack” of Delta’s political machinery.
Intra-Party Tensions and Power Struggles
Political analysts believe that Omo-Agege’s announced exit is a direct response to Oborevwori’s defection. One insider in Omo-Agege’s camp commented, “The former deputy senate president sees his own clout being diluted by Governor Oborevwori’s newfound APC patronage network. He is not someone to be sidelined.”
Indeed, sources indicate that Omo-Agege has quietly begun consultations with his network of loyal party executives, local government chairmen, and younger lawmakers. Many are said to be weighing their options between rejoining the PDP, defecting to smaller parties like the Social Democratic Party (SDP), or even forming a new regional coalition.
Implications for APC and PDP in Delta State
Should Omo-Agege formally leave the APC, the party risks losing its most potent grassroots mobilizer in Delta. His organizational machinery—spanning town unions, market associations, and youth groups—has been critical to APC’s recent electoral successes in the state. Conversely, the PDP stands to regain a heavyweight operative whose endorsements can swing local government elections and state assembly races.
Some observers foresee a scenario in which Omo-Agege negotiates reentry into the PDP with tacit assurances of zonal rotation in the 2027 governorship contest. Others suggest he may leverage his bargaining power to secure a ministerial or federal appointment in exchange for bolstering the APC’s national delegate strength.
Speculation on Omo-Agege’s Next Move
While Omo-Agege has remained publicly silent, his camp hints at a formal announcement next week—coinciding with the governor’s Monday induction ceremony. Possible destinations for the former deputy senate president include:
- Return to the PDP: Rejoining his original party could reunite him with allies like Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and re-energize the PDP base.
- Joining a Third Force: Smaller parties, such as the Labour Party or SDP, might court him as a marquee defector to challenge the two-party duopoly.
- Independent Path: Leveraging his profile to campaign on a non-partisan platform or as an independent governor hopeful in 2027.
Political strategist Gbenga Adeyemi notes, “Omo-Agege’s brand transcends party labels. His true asset is his network. Whichever banner he chooses, it will carry weight.”
Expert Analysis on Delta’s Shifting Political Landscape
Dr. Efe Abiodun, a political science lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, observes:
“Delta State’s politics is entering an era of realignments. The last two decades saw stable party loyalties, but the defections of Okowa, Oborevwori, and now potentially Omo-Agege signal a breakdown of old alignments. The 2027 elections will be fought on individual influence as much as party ideology.”
Meanwhile, veteran journalist Mercy Emeyaw warns of unintended consequences:
“Frequent defections fuel voter cynicism and weaken party structures. Without strong ideological platforms, politicians risk reducing elections to mere personality contests.”
Broader National Implications
Delta’s political shifts have ramifications beyond state boundaries. As APC fortifies its grip on South-South states, it gains leverage in national delegate counts for presidential primaries. Conversely, PDP’s survival in the region hinges on reassembling its fractured caucus and recapturing influential figures like Omo-Agege.
At the federal level, newly reinforced APC blocs from the Niger Delta could influence budgetary allocations, particularly for oil revenue disbursements and the contentious Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) funding.
The Road to 2027: Stakes and Contingencies
With less than two years until the next general elections, Delta’s key offices—including the governorship, Senate seats, and state assembly positions—are up for grabs. The party that secures Omo-Agege’s allegiance will gain not only his institutional memory but also control of his formidable campaign apparatus.
Both major parties are reportedly dispatching emissaries to woo him. The PDP’s Abuja secretariat is said to have drafted a “welcome-back” blueprint, while APC leaders, keen to retain his support, are offering assurances of greater influence in federal appointments.
A Political Chess Game Unfolding
As Delta State grapples with these seismic defections, one certainty remains: Ovie Omo-Agege’s next move will reverberate through the corridors of power in Asaba, Abuja, and beyond. Whether he hands his machinery back to the PDP, spins it toward a new platform, or holds it as an independent wildcard, the political landscape of the Niger Delta is poised for its most unpredictable chapter in years.
Stakeholders and voters alike will be watching closely as Omo-Agege’s camp prepares for a formal declaration. Until then, the game of political chess in Delta State is very much in progress—and every move counts.
