Delta: Fallouts of APC primaries raise more questions as Omo-Agege, Ochei boost NDC 

By Akpokona Omafuaire

The political fallout from the All Progressives Congress, APC, primaries in Delta State appears far from over, as two of the party’s biggest figures, former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, have formally defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where they have now secured waivers to contest senatorial seats ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Their dramatic exit from the APC and swift acceptance into the NDC have triggered fresh questions about the internal stability of the ruling party in Delta State, the lingering bitterness from the primaries, and the broader implications for political alignments ahead of 2027.

The development came days after Omo-Agege lost the APC Delta Central senatorial primary to incumbent Senator Ede Dafinone in a contest that exposed deep cracks within the party structure in the state. 

Reports from the primary indicated that Dafinone defeated Omo-Agege by a wide margin, a result many political observers described as both symbolic and consequential for the former deputy senate president’s political future. He detested the results.

For Omo-Agege, who once held enormous influence within Delta APC and flew the party’s governorship flag in 2023, the defeat marked a significant reversal of fortune. 

His subsequent resignation from the APC and decision to align with the NDC have therefore been interpreted in many quarters as more than a routine defection; rather, it signals the possible beginning of a major political realignment in Delta State.

In announcing his move, Omo-Agege said he joined the NDC after “weeks of reflection, consultations and honest conversations” with supporters and stakeholders, insisting that Deltans desire leadership that prioritises integrity and tangible results.

The NDC leadership wasted little time in consolidating the alliance. The party’s National Working Committee granted waivers to both Omo-Agege and Victor Ochei to contest the Delta Central and Delta North senatorial seats respectively under its platform. The party described both politicians as experienced leaders with strong grassroots appeal capable of strengthening its political fortunes in Delta State.

Yet beyond the official statements lies a more complicated political reality.

The defections have reignited debates about the APC’s internal cohesion in Delta State and whether the party’s primary process truly reflected reconciliation after years of factional tensions. 

Analysts believe the outcome of the primaries may have alienated some influential blocs within the party, particularly loyalists of Omo-Agege and Ochei, who had expected stronger influence in candidate selection.

Questions are also being raised over whether the APC underestimated the political consequences of sidelining powerful actors who still command considerable grassroots structures across Delta Central and Delta North.

For the NDC, however, the defections represent an opportunity to rapidly expand its relevance in Delta politics. Though still a relatively new political force nationally, the party has recently attracted high-profile opposition figures and is positioning itself as an alternative platform ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Political observers note that Omo-Agege’s entry could immediately strengthen the NDC’s visibility and organisational presence in Delta Central, while Ochei’s political network may equally reshape calculations in Delta North.

Still, uncertainties remain.

Will the defections trigger further exits from the APC in Delta State? Can the NDC successfully manage competing ambitions among its rapidly expanding ranks? And perhaps more importantly, will voters interpret these moves as genuine ideological shifts or merely another chapter in Nigeria’s long history of political convenience?

The answers may not emerge immediately, but one thing appears certain: the aftershocks of the APC Delta primaries are still unfolding, and the battle for Delta’s political future has entered a new and unpredictable phase. This is especially as rumours have it that Senator Ned Nwoko, Senator representing Delta North who lost to former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa could be joining the NDC also. 

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