Omo-Agege joins NDC, declares bid for Delta Central Senate seat in 2027

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Deputy Senate President Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has formally joined the National Democratic Congress (NDC), days after resigning from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring his intention to contest the Delta Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections under the opposition party.

In a statement personally signed by him on Thursday, May 28, 2026, Omo-Agege described his decision as the outcome of “weeks of reflection, wide consultations, and honest conversations” with his constituents and political allies.

“Across all these engagements, one truth stood out: Deltans want leadership that listens first, acts with integrity, and delivers results that can be seen and felt in daily life,” he said.

Omo-Agege expressed gratitude to the leadership of the NDC, including Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Moses Cleopas, Governor Peter Obi, and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for engaging him in discussions that led to his defection. He said their commitment to building a credible, people-first alternative convinced him that the NDC was the right platform for Delta State and Nigeria.

“The NDC represents the kind of leadership our people deserve — inclusion, accountability, grassroots participation, and true federalism,” he stated. “It is a platform where public office is treated as a duty to the people, not a privilege for a few.”

The former Deputy Senate President emphasized that his return to the Senate was not driven by personal ambition but by the renewed call from his constituents for effective representation.

“This is not about me. It is about the mandate you entrusted to me in 2019 and the renewed call from our people for my return to the Senate,” he said. “That call is loud, consistent, alive, and urgent. I cannot ignore it, and I will not betray the trust you have placed in me.”

Omo-Agege lamented the state of infrastructure and public services in Delta, citing collapsed roads, underfunded health centers, overcrowded schools, and high unemployment despite the state’s vast oil wealth and federal allocations.

“Too much of Delta’s wealth sits in CBN accounts while our people suffer from bad roads, collapsed hospitals, and abandoned communities. This is not governance. It is a failure of leadership and a betrayal of public trust,” he said.

He pledged to champion transparency and accountability, insisting that the NDC was built for such a moment.

“Change requires a platform committed to discipline, transparency, and service. The NDC stands for accountability, justice, inclusion, and true federalism. It is the only platform strong enough to challenge the cycle of failure and return power to the people,” he declared.

Omo-Agege vowed to replicate his grassroots mobilization strategy that once made the APC competitive in Delta State, promising to strengthen the NDC from the ward level upward, register new members, and prepare credible candidates for the 2027 elections.

“We did it before for the APC when many said it was impossible. We mobilized at the grassroots, organized our people, and changed the political equation. I bring that same resolve and experience to the NDC,” he said.

He outlined his legislative priorities, including fair allocation of federal projects, job creation, support for small and medium enterprises, agricultural productivity, and improved access to healthcare and education.

“I will not go to Abuja to warm the bench. I am going to fight for Delta Central,” he said. “Every kobo released to Delta State must be accounted for and applied to projects that improve the lives of our people.”

Omo-Agege also called for unity among the three senatorial districts — Delta North, Delta South, and Delta Central — stressing that a divided Delta weakens the state’s influence at the national level.

“A divided Delta is a weakened Delta. When we speak with one voice, Abuja listens,” he said.

Beyond his senatorial ambition, Omo-Agege said the NDC would field credible candidates for the governorship and other elective positions, adding that Nigeria itself needed a “reset” through leadership that restores hope, protects citizens, and respects the rule of law.

“This is more than an election cycle. It is a defining moment for Delta State and Nigeria — a choice between continuing with a system that rewards mediocrity or choosing a new direction built on accountability and service,” he said.

He urged youths, women, elders, and traditional rulers to mobilize ahead of the 2027 elections, emphasizing the power of the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) as the ultimate tool for change.

“Your PVC is stronger than money, intimidation, or propaganda. Protect it, use it, and use it wisely in 2027,” he said.