Oborevwori, Omo-Agege Reopen Delta War Ahead Of 2027
The battle for Delta State’s political soul has returned to familiar ground, with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege drawing fresh battle lines ahead of the 2027 general elections, more than three years after their first contest.
The rivalry has taken a dramatic turn through a double defection. Oborevwori left the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress, the party he defeated in 2023, and now positions President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election as his central priority. Omo-Agege, who carried the APC governorship flag in 2023, has moved in the opposite direction.
On Thursday, May 28, 2026, Omo-Agege announced his decision to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress, declaring his intention to contest the Delta Central Senatorial District seat in 2027. The exit followed his defeat in the Delta Central APC senatorial primary by Senator Ede Dafinone. He blamed the move on the takeover of the state party structure after Oborevwori’s defection, saying loyal members who worked for the APC in 2023 were pushed aside during recent congresses.
The governor has played down the threat. “He is not a threat because I’ve won him before,” Oborevwori said, recalling the 2023 result. He accused his rival of disloyalty, stating: “He betrayed James Ibori. He betrayed Great Ogboru. He betrayed O’tega Emerhor. So if he says he wants to betray me, he’s not a threat.”
Omo-Agege rejected the dismissal, arguing that the governor’s switch was itself proof of fear. “When Governor Sheriff saw mass decampment to APC he panicked, chickened out, and ran into the APC to join me,” he said. He cited the 2023 figures, claiming he polled 115,245 votes against the governor’s 100,089 in their shared Delta Central District. “They are scared of me, and they have every reason to be scared,” he added.
The two also clashed over governance. Oborevwori defended his record under the M.O.R.E Agenda, saying his administration has touched road projects across every local government and cleared contractor debts. “First time in history, no contractor is being owed,” he said. Omo-Agege countered that the governor had “nothing on the ground,” alleging that despite receiving over N3.15 trillion in three years, about N750 billion of state funds was “sitting idle” at the Central Bank.
The presidential dimension sharpens the contest. Oborevwori has framed support for Tinubu as a familial duty, saying: “The man is an in-law here. It will be evil to vote against your in-law.” Omo-Agege has thrown his weight behind Peter Obi. “Peter Obi is my presidential candidate for 2027, I have endorsed him,” he said on Arise Television. Oborevwori, in turn, has vowed that Obi will not repeat his 2023 Delta victory, insisting the factors behind that win have been addressed.
His defection comes amid wider cracks in the Delta APC. Former state Assembly Speaker Victor Ochei has also resigned, while Senator Ned Nwoko has voiced concerns over developments within the party.