2027: With Omo-Agege, Ochei in NDC, Aggrieved Nwoko, Oborevwori's Political Battles Just Begun

With former deputy president of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege and former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, running for Senate in both Delta Central and North on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is in for more and bigger troubles. This is not far from the truth. Prior to the defection of the entire structure of the state People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC), Omo-Agege was the nightmare of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

The present Delta state commissioner for information, Charles Aniagwu, can testify to that. Aniagwu was always holding press conferences anytime Omo-Agege goes against the former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Though he may deny, journalists in the state capital are very much aware of his rat race to counter Senator Omo-Agege's statements against his former boss.

Yes, any statement made by Omo-Agege was seen as an attack on the governor, and the information commissioner would call for a press conference to respond to the former deputy Senate President. The reason is simple, they know the standing of the former deputy Senate President. They know the authority he commands and his followership in Delta State. His organic followership is high because the people of Urbobo in Delta Central believe heavily in him.

So far, all the senators who have emerged in Delta since the state was created, no one has performed as Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. His records are thick, his empowerment touched all communities of Delta Central, hence the people of Delta Central love him for his benevolent heart. Most people in the senatorial district see him as a hero who they believe his return to the Senate will be a plus to them, arising from how much he touched their lives when he was in the Senate prior to his failed governorship ambition.

Following the manner he was treated by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and how he angrily left the APC, there's every certainty that Sheriff Oborevwori will have him to contend with as the January 2027 Senate and presidential election draws closer. There's also the certainty that Omo-Agege will surmount all the energy he can to ensure that APC loses big in the senatorial district and also in the state. The recent statements from him show that he is an angry man, who's set to bulldoze every obstacle on his way to crush APC his former party from the way.

One of such comments is the statement he made following the sack of Udu representative in the Delta State House of Assembly, Collins Egbetamah. He reportedly posted a video which one of Governor Oborevwori's aide, Ossai Ovie Success commented on, the comment of which was displeasing to him. His reaction to the comment spoke volume, it revealed the depth of his heart and the brewing political war as the election gets closer.

Yes, Omo-Agege is a threat to the governor. That is not an understatement, rather it's a statement of fact, and a fact that is strong enough to make Oborevwori feel uncomfortable. Oborevwori will have him to contend with as the campaigns kick off next month, August across the country.

One challenge Oborevwori has is the APC senatorial candidate, Ede Dafinone. Dafinone was a candidate of Omo-Agege during the 2023 senatorial election. Omo-Agege fought for the emergence of Dafinone and the present senator representing Delta South, Joel Onowakpo Thomas, popularly known as JOT.

But the duo turned against him few months and pledged loyalty to the governor. That was the betrayal that wounded Omo-Agege to the core. He fought for their emergence while he was gunning for the governorship then as the APC flag bearer. Though he lost the governorship, his influenced prevailed against the powers that would have outsmarted JOT and Dafinone, his then candidates.

Again, the emergence of Victor Ochei as NDC senatorial candidate for Delta North will be another game changer in the state. Both Omo-Agege and Ochei, riding on the influence of Peter Obi, coupled with aggrieved Senator Ned Nwoko, who Governor Oborevwori and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa reportedly fought out of the senatorial race, the battle is set to be a strong battle of titans, which may rob the governor of his 2027 ambition.

Yes, despite Ned Nwoko may still remain in the APC, there's every certainty that he won't vote for the senatorial candidate of the APC in Delta North. He would rather direct his supporters across the Delta North to cast their votes for the NDC to defeat Senator Okowa and throw him out of the Senate. That would be his greatest joy. This is coupled with the fact that many Anioma people are not disposed to Okowa's emergence, the pendulum may shift very terribly against him.

So, the battle against Governor sheriff Oborevwori is a big one. His way to the 2027 government house is very shaky and rugged. Winning the state for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not guaranteed. This is because generally Nigerians are disappointed in the administration of the president. While it is believed that surprises are bound to happen, the political atmosphere in Delta is not actually tilted in favour of the APC.