Structure hijack forced my exit from APC — Omo-Agege

Former Deputy Senate President and ex-Delta State governorship candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has explained his exit from the All Progressives Congress, alleging that the party structure in the state was taken over following the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Omo-Agege made the claims during an interview on the Arise TV Morning Show on Wednesday, where he also spoke on internal party disputes, his political future and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

He alleged that loyal APC members who worked for the party during the 2023 elections were sidelined during recent congresses in the state, insisting that the restructuring of the party did not reflect fairness to long-standing members.

Despite his exit, Omo-Agege said he still enjoys strong grassroots support, claiming that over 240,000 supporters who backed him in the 2023 governorship election remain loyal to him.

He said he took his decision after wide consultations with political leaders and supporters across the state, adding that he did not act alone or outside due process.

On his new political direction, Omo-Agege declared support for the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, adding that his loyalty now follows his party structure.

He said, “My decision to leave the APC was not taken lightly. 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.

“I have therefore chosen a new political direction where I can continue to serve my people effectively.

“In the NDC, I now align with Peter Obi because I believe he represents a people-first leadership that Nigeria urgently needs.”

He also recalled that he supported both late President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu while in the APC, stressing that his loyalty has always followed his party platform.

“Now that I am in the NDC, my loyalty is to my party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi,” he said.

On reports surrounding the NDC senatorial primary in Delta Central, Omo-Agege dismissed claims that he lost the ticket, insisting that he won across all eight local government areas in the district.

He said the party had not officially released or ratified results, describing contrary reports as false and politically motivated.

The former Deputy Senate President also criticised the Oborevwori administration, alleging that over N3tn had accrued to the state in the last three years with little development to show.

He further claimed that about N750bn remained idle in government accounts while residents continue to suffer from poverty, unemployment, insecurity and poor infrastructure.

Speaking on the Delta governorship race, Omo-Agege expressed support for his party’s candidate, describing him as experienced, articulate and capable of delivering good governance.

He said leadership was not about titles but about performance and the effective use of public funds for development.

Despite acknowledging federal economic reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange adjustments introduced by Tinubu, he said proper implementation remained key for Nigerians to benefit.

Omo-Agege also insisted that his political future remained intact, saying there were no legal or electoral barriers preventing his participation in the 2027 elections.