The 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Delta State, Ovie Omo-Agege, has urged Gov Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State and the immediate past Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and sort out the crisis bedevilling the party because they will not be welcomed in the APC.
Speaking during an APC leaders, elders, and stakeholders meeting in Ika South and Ika North East local government areas on Monday, February 3, Omo-Agege accused Oborevwori’s administration of attempting to downplay APC’s growing strength in Delta State.
He stated, “After the 2023 elections, the PDP spread false propaganda, claiming that APC no longer exists in Delta. Yet, this is a state where APC won two senatorial seats and two House of Reps seats. Today, the only PDP senator is set to join APC, and you are still saying we are not on the ground? Are we not the majority party? In Delta Central Senatorial district, where I and Governor Oborevwori come from, APC won the senatorial seat, two of the three House of Representative seats, while the remaining one was won by the Labour Party. PDP won none. Also, out of nine House of Assembly seats in Delta Central, APC secured five, while PDP got four. So, which party is truly more popular?”
Omo-Agege emphasized that while the APC is open to welcoming Senator Ned Nwoko, members of the House of Representatives, House of Assembly members, and other PDP leaders, it has no interest in Oborevwori and Okowa joining its ranks. “We have built this party from scratch, and we will not allow people with questionable records to destroy what we have worked hard for,” he said.
He also highlighted APC’s achievements in the last election, noting that despite the presence of a sitting PDP governor and a former vice-presidential candidate in Ika South and Ika North East, APC still secured the required 25% of votes.
Omo-Agege reassured party members that internal issues within Delta APC would be resolved ahead of 2027. “We should stop focusing on our internal issues and instead take advantage of the PDP’s bigger problems. Are we even sure PDP will still exist in 2027? Their crisis at the national level is worsening. Our focus should be on winning the next elections and re-electing President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
He further remarked that the successes of Tinubu’s policies have made APC the most attractive party in Delta State, drawing interest from several political figures. “Soon, we will have three senators, and I am aware that the three PDP House of Reps members are joining APC. Some House of Assembly members will also join us. We welcome everyone except Oborevwori and Okowa. They should remain in PDP and rebuild their party,” he added.
Omo-Agege accused Governor Oborevwori’s administration of stifling Delta State House Assembly members. “You can’t even speak as a member; if you dare speak, you will be slammed with suspension. So, they are all coming, and we welcome them,” he said. “The only two people who are not welcomed are Governor Sheriff and Okowa. They should remain in PDP and build their party.”
The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Barr. Felix Morka, assured party members that the APC National Chairman and other key stakeholders are committed to resolving any internal issues within the Delta State chapter before the 2027 elections. Several party leaders, including Fada Ibudeh, Chief Stevenson Ikpade, Chief Sunny Chuks Obuseh, Fred Ofume, Paul Ebede, Lady Philomena Agholor, Dr. Goddy Ibeh, Dr. Chamberlain Dunkwu, Mr. Godwin Ogadi, and Eugene Uzum, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the need for genuine reconciliation to strengthen the APC ahead of the next elections.
