• Party grants them waivers for 2027 Senate race
•APC: Their exit won’t diminish our strength, reaffirms loyalty to Oborevwori
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja, Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba and Sylvester Idowu in Warri
Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei, have announced their resignation from APC and membership of Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Media Adviser to Omo-Agege, Mr Sunny Areh, confirmed the development yesterday.
Omo-Agege joined NDC about six days after resigning from APC, saying the decision would give vent to his desire to return to the senate, especially in the interest of his constituents in Delta Central Senatorial District.
“Senator Ovie Omo-Agege will team up with Mr Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate of the NDC,” Areh assured.
In the statement, Omo-Agege said his decision followed painstaking reflection and broad consultation.
He stated, “Today, I formally announce my decision to join the National Democratic Congress (NDC). This decision is the product of weeks of reflection, wide consultations and honest conversations with the people I serve.
“I have consulted with my political associates nationwide; supporters, and stakeholders who are the backbone of our communities. 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.
“I thank the leadership of the NDC for reaching out and engaging me in this process: Senator Seriake Dickson, Leader and Founder; Senator Moses Cleopas, National Chairman; Governor Peter Obi, Presidential Aspirant; and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and NDC Chieftain.
“Their commitment to building a credible, people-first alternative gives me confidence that the NDC is the right platform for Delta State and Nigeria.”
Ochei: Broader Growth Inspired Decision
Former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei, formally resigned his membership of APC, citing the need for broader political growth and continued commitment to service.
According to his media aide, Dr Austin Edemodu, Ochei announced his resignation in an exit statement addressed to his APC Ward 4 Chairman in Onicha Olona, Delta State.
He described his decision as coming after “deep reflections and wide consultations” with political associates and supporters.
Ochei said he joined the APC in 2016 with sincerity and strong belief in the vision of the party, adding that he spent the last 10 years contributing significantly to the growth and strengthening of the party at various levels.
“Together with many committed party faithful, we expanded the party’s reach, deepened its structures, mobilized support across communities, and worked tirelessly to give the party relevance and visibility within our political environment,” he stated.
The former lawmaker stated that long before many current leaders in the party joined APC, he had already dedicated himself to the ideals of leadership, grassroots development, and public service.
Ochei said he was leaving the party proud of the progress achieved through years of political engagement, youth inclusion, women participation, and democratic development.
NDC Grants Omo-Agege, Ochei Waivers
NDC, yesterday, granted waivers to Omo-Agege and Ochei to contest the Delta Central and Delta North senatorial seats, respectively, in the 2027 general election under the party’s platform.
In a statement by National Publicity Secretary of the party, Osa Director, NDC said the waivers were granted in recognition of the political experience, leadership capacity, and grassroots influence of the two politicians.
The party expressed confidence that Omo-Agege and Ochei possessed the competence and electoral value required to secure victory and provide quality representation for their respective senatorial districts.
“The decision to grant the waivers was taken in recognition of their political experience, leadership capacity, and commitment to democratic ideals, good governance, and service to the people,” the statement stated.
NDC described the defections as a boost to its growing political strength in Delta State and reaffirmed its commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and inclusiveness.
The waiver approval coincided with growing tension within the party over allegations that some aspirants were being prevented from participating in the ongoing primaries despite having been screened and cleared by the party.
In a separate statement, the party’s leadership warned state chapters and officials against denying cleared aspirants access to the primary election process, declaring that any such action would be “null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
The party insisted that all aspirants who successfully passed through the screening exercise remained eligible to contest and directed officials at all levels to ensure peaceful, transparent, and credible primaries nationwide.
NDC said the presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly primaries would hold across the country on May 29, 2026, in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines.
