The incumbent senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 general elections, following a resounding victory over former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, in the party’s primaries.
The primaries were conducted using the direct primary system under Option A4, with voting held at ward levels across the eight local government areas that make up the senatorial district.
The exercise witnessed massive participation by party members and was widely described as credible, peaceful and transparent.
Sen. Dafinone dominated the contest, winning convincingly across all eight local government areas with a wide margin, effectively making the race one-sided and reaffirming his strong grassroots support within the district.
Omo-Agege, who represented Delta Central for two terms in the Senate and later served as Deputy President of the Senate, had stepped aside in 2023 to contest the Delta State governorship election, which he lost to the incumbent Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.
His return to the senatorial race, however, fell short against the incumbent lawmaker.
Announcing the outcome of the primaries, the Collation Officer, Benjamin Okiemute, stated that the process adhered strictly to party guidelines, noting that Sen..Dafinone secured the highest number of valid votes cast by party members across the wards.
A breakdown of the results shows that in Ughelli North, Dafinone polled 22,329 votes against Omo-Agege’s 1,873.
In Ethiope West, where Returning Officer, Charles Aniagwuz confirmed voting across 11 wards with 10,326 registered members, Dafinone secured 7,646 votes as against Omo-Agege’s 317. Sapele recorded 10,460 votes for Dafinone and 117 for Omo-Agege.
In Uvwie, Dafinone polled 20,369 votes against Omo-Agege’s 377, while in Udu, he recorded 11,211 votes compared to 237 votes for his opponent. Ughelli South delivered 12,216 votes for Dafinone and 227 for Omo-Agege.
In Okpe Local Government Area, Dafinone garnered 18,050 votes out of a total of 18,244 votes cast, with Omo-Agege scoring 97 votes.
Key Highlights:
- Incumbent APC senator for Delta Central, Ede Dafinone, won the party’s 2027 senatorial primaries by a landslide against former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege.
- The primaries were conducted through the direct primary system using Option A4 voting across the eight local government areas in Delta Central, and party members described the process as peaceful and transparent.
- Dafinone swept all eight LGAs with overwhelming margins, polling a total of 116,252 votes, while Omo-Agege secured only 3,643 votes out of 119,895 total votes cast.
- Omo-Agege, who previously represented Delta Central in the Senate and contested the 2023 Delta governorship election, failed in his attempt to reclaim the senatorial ticket from the incumbent.
- After his victory, Dafinone praised the credibility of the exercise, thanked supporters, and called on Omo-Agege and other APC members to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections
Similarly, in Ethiope East, which had 15,447 registered members, Dafinone polled 13,971 votes, while Omo-Agege received 398 votes.
Sub-totals from the eight local government areas show that Dafinone secured 116,252 votes, while Omo-Agege polled 3,643 votes, bringing the cumulative total votes cast to 119,895, further underscoring the one-sided nature of the contest.
Reacting to the outcome at Evwreni Ward, founding Leader of the APC in Delta State, O’tega Emerhor, commended the conduct of the election, describing it as peaceful and devoid of acrimony.
“At the end of the day, we all embrace each other in unity. I’m not permitted to call the result, but I can tell you that the people voted massively for Senator Ede Dafinone,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Samuel Marierie praised the orderly nature of the exercise and the maturity displayed by party members, noting that the transparent process has further strengthened internal democracy within the APC in Delta Central.
In his reaction after he was announced winner, Senator Ede Dafinone commended the process and thanked the people of Delta Central for the confidence reposed in him again.
Read also:
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- Delta Central Senatorial Race: Intrigues as Muoboghare, Emerhor, Majemite, Dafinone emerge as key players
He said: “What is my comment and assessment of the election, and what is my overall take? First of all, let me say that the process of the primaries was conducted in a manner that was transparent, open, free, and fair.
‘Delta Central is, of course, a highly political terrain, and I want to use this opportunity to thank all those who supported me throughout our great party in achieving this victory today.
“I will also take this opportunity to call on eistinguished Senator Uwe Omo-Agege to join forces with other members of our party so that we can work together for victory in 2027 across all positions.”
