The race for the Delta Central Senatorial seat appears to have officially commenced following the declaration of Prof. Patrick Muoboghare to contest the position on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His entry has begun to shape the political direction of Delta Central, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense contest among some of the region’s most prominent political figures.
Prof. Muoboghare, a former Commissioner for Education in Delta State and a grassroots politician from Uwheru, made his declaration on January 4, 2026, during his reception into the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The event, held in Uwheru, Ughelli North Local Government Area, was well attended by party loyalists and community leaders.
At the event, one of the major facilitators of his defection, Chief Simeon Owhofa, made a bold political statement by declaring himself a founding leader of the APC, placing himself at par with Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, who has long held the title of the party’s founding leader in Delta State. The move, political observers say, was significant and indicative of a deepening power struggle within the APC in Delta Central.
While Senator Ede Dafinone, the incumbent senator representing Delta Central, has yet to formally declare his intention to seek re-election, his recent political activities suggest he is quietly preparing to return to the ballot. However, his path to securing the APC ticket may not be straightforward, given the growing list of aspirants and emerging internal divisions within the party.
Party insiders reveal that Delta Central APC is already fragmented along several interest lines. Apart from Muoboghare’s declaration, Chief Fred Majemite, Vice Chairman of the Ughelli North APC Leadership Council, is also believed to be eyeing the seat. Although Majemite has not publicly made his ambition known, a WhatsApp group initially named ‘Team Majemite for Senate’, later modified to ‘Team Majemite’, has sparked speculation about his aspirations.
Similarly, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, a founding leader and current Chairman of the APC Ughelli North Leadership Council, is said to be cautiously weighing his options. His silence is strategic, political watchers suggest, as a premature announcement could deepen existing rifts within the local APC structure.
Political developments indicate that Chief Simeon Owhofa’s influence in the unfolding scenario cannot be underestimated. Following his recent loss to Chief Ese Gam in the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) election, Owhofa appears to be shifting from behind-the-scenes politics to a more direct leadership role.
The Trumpet gathered that Owhofa, a long-time ally of Emerhor, may have fallen out with him due to perceived lack of support during the UPU election. By bringing Muoboghare into the APC and backing his senatorial ambition, Owhofa is believed to be strategically positioning himself to build a new political base independent of Emerhor’s influence. His move is seen as a bid to reclaim political relevance and possibly construct his own political empire within the Ughelli axis.
The unfolding political developments have further exposed the subtle rivalry between the Ughelli and Okpe blocs within Delta Central. Party sources indicate that the Ughelli bloc is increasingly determined to claim the senatorial seat, arguing that it would be politically imbalanced for the Okpe bloc to retain both the governorship and senatorial positions, especially as the APC and PDP structures continue to align in new political realities.
Emerhor’s camp, however, is relying on the possibility that, should zoning considerations favor the old APC structure, he would naturally become the preferred choice, barring the influence of the Senator Ovie Omo-Agege faction. Within the party, speculations abound that Omo-Agege may be pacified with the senatorial ticket if it helps resolve larger party interests, including the 2027 governorship permutations.
The political dynamics in Delta Central have set the stage for a potentially fierce contest. While Senator Dafinone remains a silent force, Muoboghare’s bold declaration has shaken the table, forcing other aspirants to rethink their strategies. Emerhor and Majemite, on the other hand, are expected to make their definitive moves in the coming months as alignment and realignment of interests continue.
As 2026 unfolds, the Delta Central senatorial contest promises to be a critical test of loyalty, influence, and relevance within the Delta APC. With new alliances forming and old ones fracturing, one thing is clear, the road to the Red Chamber from Delta Central will be anything but predictable.
