Omo‑Agege defends defection, says APC abandoned him and his supporters, vows victory in Delta Central

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege has defended his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he did not abandon the ruling party but was instead sidelined by it.

Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Omo-Agege described himself as a loyal party man who gave his full commitment to every political platform he belonged to.

“I never left the APC. The APC left me and my 240,000 supporters,” he said.

The former Delta governorship candidate maintained that he was a staunch supporter of President Bola Tinubu while in the APC, adding that his loyalty to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), his new political platform, was equally unwavering.

Addressing reports surrounding the NDC Delta Central Senatorial District primary, Omo-Agege expressed confidence that he would emerge as the party’s candidate once the National Executive Committee (NEC) formally releases the results.

“If you believe that I lost a primary in NDC, then I have a plot of land to sell to you in the middle of the Atlantic,” he said.

“You can take it to the bank that I won that primary. It has been conducted, and I won 100 per cent.”

He explained that, as a member of the party’s NEC, he was aware of the outcome but would wait for the official announcement before making further comments.

On his chances in the forthcoming election, Omo-Agege said the ruling party in Delta State viewed him as a formidable opponent.

“They are scared of me. They know what I can do. I have done it before, and I will do it again,” he said.

The former deputy senate president also criticised the administration of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, accusing it of failing to address key challenges facing residents.

According to him, the state government has not implemented policies capable of improving the welfare of the people and has focused largely on infrastructure projects without delivering broader development.

“The fact that you are called a governor is not enough. We must see policies that ameliorate the plight of the people,” he said.

Omo-Agege promised that the NDC would tackle insecurity, poor road infrastructure, inadequate healthcare facilities and other developmental challenges if elected into office.

He also argued that NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi would be better positioned to implement economic reforms than the current administration.

According to him, many of the policies being pursued by the Tinubu administration, including fuel subsidy removal, had also been advocated by Obi.

“The people trust Peter Obi to make these policies work better than what is presently being done,” he said.

Asked if the INEC appeal of the judgment that nullified its timetable as against the electoral act, he said the judgment of the court was a declaratory judgment.

“I am a member of the NDC. All that section 77 of the Electoral Act talks about is that your name must be in the register of a political party,” he said.

“Ovie Omo‑Agege left the APC after Senator Ede Dafinone was declared winner of the Delta Central Senatorial District APC primary election, a result that the former Deputy Senate President insisted he had actually won in his own statement.”