Delta 2027: Oborevwori vs Omo-Agege — Battle for APC Supremacy Escalates

The political temperature in Delta State is rising as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, former Deputy Senate President, engage in a fierce internal struggle for control of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election.

What began as a strategic defection by Governor Oborevwori from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on April 27, 2025, has since snowballed into a major shakeup within the Delta APC, dismantling Omo-Agege’s grip on the party structure and throwing his 2027 governorship ambition into uncertainty.

Oborevwori Takes Over APC Machinery

Within weeks of his defection, Oborevwori secured support from over 70% of the APC structure in Delta, including state executive members previously loyal to Omo-Agege. While the former Senate leader had once served the governor a political “quit notice” from Government House Asaba, his path to that seat now appears increasingly obstructed.

“The governor is the automatic leader of the party by its constitution,” a source close to Oborevwori stated. “You cannot expect him to give up his re-election bid or bow to someone who challenged his legitimacy in 2023.”

Despite being Delta APC’s 2023 governorship candidate, Omo-Agege has been largely sidelined since the defection, absent from key unity meetings, and reportedly relocated to Abuja to restrategize.

Omo-Agege’s Camp: “He Built the House”

A loyalist to Omo-Agege lamented the governor’s approach:

“He [Oborevwori] came into a house built by someone who once ran against him. It is his responsibility to reach out, accommodate him, and find a working relationship. Perhaps even propose a return to the Senate for Omo-Agege or support him for a principal position.”

But that idealistic unity appears far off. Omo-Agege’s absence from critical meetings at the local, state, and zonal levels—including in his Ughelli North LGA—has only widened the rift. His supporters, meanwhile, have continued to push his 2027 agenda, even organizing solidarity marches in his name.

APC Leadership Rejects Omo-Agege Solidarity March

One such solidarity event triggered sharp rebuke from the state party leadership. The APC’s publicity secretary, Mr. Valentine Onojeghuho, described the march as “unauthorized and illegal.”

“No such event was ever sanctioned, approved, or endorsed by the APC leadership in Delta State,” the statement declared.

In response, a group known as Concerned APC Progressives, Delta State Chapter, fired back:

“To label a peaceful and voluntary gathering as ‘unauthorized’ is not just intellectually dishonest—it is politically repressive and beneath the standard of a truly progressive party.”

Despite the backlash, another “street endorsement” march was reportedly scheduled for Kwale, Delta North, indicating Omo-Agege’s supporters are undeterred.

Oborevwori’s Watchfulness and Political Strategy

An APC leader close to the governor explained Oborevwori’s caution:

“No governor defects without prior assurances of full party control. Oborevwori knows Omo-Agege still wants the seat, so naturally, he’s wary. You can’t reconcile with someone actively eyeing your job.”

“The founding APC leader in Delta, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, already visited the governor. If he could do that, why not Omo-Agege?”

Nwaoboshi Speaks: “I Told Him He Can’t Win”

Breaking the silence around internal party discussions, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, a political ally of Omo-Agege, revealed he has advised the former DSP not to challenge Oborevwori for the 2027 APC ticket.

“I told him that if he remains in the APC and the governor also remains, he cannot win the party’s primary—it will be difficult to win the election. I’ve had private meetings with him and told him my position,” Nwaoboshi stated.

Citing political precedents in the state:

“When Ibori, Uduaghan, and Okowa sought second terms, nobody challenged them at the primaries. That’s the political reality in Delta.”

He added that Omo-Agege’s current concern is seeking due recognition for his past role as the party’s leader in the state:

“He is a former Deputy Senate President. He deserves respect. But I don’t believe he wants to fight the governor—unless he’s changed his mind in recent weeks.”

2027: A Collision Course?

With both leaders standing firm, the Delta APC faces an internal power struggle that could fracture the party ahead of the next general election. Oborevwori appears firmly in control, while Omo-Agege, despite setbacks, has not officially ruled out a return to the governorship race.

If reconciliation fails and both men remain in the party, a showdown at the primaries seems inevitable. But as it stands, the APC constitution backs the incumbent governor—and political history in Delta favors second-term bids.

For now, all eyes remain on Delta as 2027 draws closer—and the APC battles itself from within.