Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, former Deputy President of the 9th Senate, has opened his 2027 campaign with a direct challenge to the political establishment in Delta, urging voters to replace the incumbent senator representing Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone, and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the polls.
Omo-Agege spoke on Thursday during his consultation and campaign mobilisation across Wards 1, 2 and 3 in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area, where he declared that his return to the Senate would be aimed at restoring what he described as stronger representation for Delta Central.
He told supporters that the event marked the formal beginning of his campaign for the Senate, as well as the mobilisation for the presidential, governorship and legislative candidates of his party ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This is the official commencement of our campaign to return to the Nigerian Senate in 2027. It is also the commencement of the movement for our next president in 2027 and the campaign to reset Delta State,” Omo-Agege said.
He, however, described the exercise as more of a consultation and mobilisation than a conventional political rally, urging supporters from the various units to take the message back to their communities.
“You are the representatives of your various units. When you leave here, you are going back as our special eyes in those units. We need you to educate the people and mobilise them,” he told the supporters.
Omo-Agege anchored his campaign on what he described as the need to replace political representation that had failed to translate Delta’s resources and federal opportunities into tangible benefits for residents.
He particularly questioned the absence of what he considered sufficient advocacy for the development of the Sapele Sea Port, comparing it with the Federal Government’s reported commitment of about N3 trillion to the revitalisation of the Lagos Sea Port.
“The national cake is shared at the National Assembly. If you don’t fight for what belongs to your people, nobody will give it to you out of sympathy or emotion,” he said.
According to him, Delta Central needs a senator who will aggressively pursue federal projects and investments capable of stimulating economic activity, creating jobs and opening opportunities for young people.
The former senator also criticised the Delta State Government over its management of public resources, claiming that about N4 trillion had accrued to the state over the past three and a half years.
He questioned the level of development achieved with the funds, saying the administration’s major visible infrastructure projects were flyovers, while employment and industrial development remained inadequate.
“Delta is very rich. In the last three and a half years, about N4 trillion has come to the state. When you look across Delta, what do you see? Apart from the flyovers, how many jobs have been created for our people?” he asked.
Omo-Agege put the estimated cost of the state’s flyover projects at about N177 billion and questioned the utilisation of the remaining resources.
He said the state’s development priorities should include education, roads, industrial revival, electricity and an enabling environment for private investment.
“With all the money that has come into this state, our children are still sitting on bare floors in some schools. We need somebody who will manage the resources in such a way that our schools have furniture and proper equipment and our children have a conducive environment to learn,” he said.
He also called for the revival of moribund industries, citing the Delta Glass Factory and other industrial facilities as examples of businesses that could contribute to employment and economic growth if properly revitalised.
“Why are we not putting a portion of the resources into reviving these companies? When you revitalise them, you create jobs and economic opportunities for our people,” he said.
Omo-Agege further argued that Delta required a governor capable of attracting investors, developing infrastructure and addressing the state’s power challenges.
He cited Abia State as an example, saying Delta could deploy part of its resources towards improving electricity supply and creating conditions for industries to return to full operation.
The former Deputy Senate President also used the campaign to highlight his record at the National Assembly, listing the Federal Polytechnic and other federal institutions and projects which he said he helped facilitate for Delta State.
He recalled his intervention in the establishment of a Defence Space School, saying he resisted an arrangement that would have taken the southern facility away from Delta.
“When the Defence Space School was to be established, one was going to the North and another to the South. I put my foot down to fight for it,” he said.
He also attributed the legal framework for the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, to sustained legislative efforts during his tenure.
Omo-Agege said that although he was not the founder of FUPRE, he used his position and relationships in Abuja to help secure the legislation required to give the institution a stronger legal foundation.
He similarly cited the establishment of federal educational and other development projects in the state as evidence of the type of representation he intends to provide if returned to the Senate.
“I have served in the Senate for two terms, and during those eight years I fought hard to protect the interests of our people in Abuja,” he said.
The former senator also made a strong case for Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, urging his supporters to combine their support for him at the senatorial level with votes for Obi at the presidential level.
“When Peter Obi becomes President, rest assured that the interest of the Urhobo people will be protected. As you vote for me for Senator, vote for Peter Obi as President,” Omo-Agege said.
He also endorsed Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, the NDC governorship candidate in Delta, asking voters to support him and other candidates of the party in the 2027 elections.
“Vote for Deacon Chris Iyovwaye as Governor and vote for the House of Representatives candidate and others,” he said.
Omo-Agege urged voters to prioritise competence, education and experience in choosing the next governor, arguing that the state required leadership capable of converting its resources into sustainable development.
He made a controversial reference to the educational background of the incumbent governor while arguing against his re-election, saying voters should choose a candidate with the capacity to manage the state’s resources and attract investment.
The campaign also took a broader turn as Omo-Agege urged supporters to protect their votes during the 2027 elections, referring to the recent governorship election in Osun State as an example of voters’ determination to defend their ballots.
He called on his supporters not to leave polling units immediately after voting, but to remain and monitor the counting and collation process.
“After voting, don’t go home. Vote and stay there. Protect your vote,” he told the crowd.
Omo-Agege said the 2027 contest would be a battle between what he described as Nigerians seeking political change and the ruling political establishment.
“It is time to liberate our state. It is time to liberate our country. Protect your vote,” he said.
He urged supporters to mobilise voters across the wards and units, insisting that the outcome of the election would depend not only on campaign speeches but also on voters’ ability to turn out, cast their ballots and defend the results.
The campaign event was attended by former Delta State Commissioner for Education, Dr Veronica Ogbuagu; former Commissioner Judith Enamuotor; NDC House of Assembly candidate for Uvwie, Hon. Chief Rotimi O. Ukuade; party leaders, ward executives and supporters from across Uvwie.
With the 2027 elections still ahead, Omo-Agege’s declaration has set the stage for a potentially competitive battle in Delta Central, as he seeks to reclaim the Senate seat while simultaneously campaigning for a change of government at both the state and federal levels.