The political landscape in Delta State is increasingly becoming charged ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Deputy President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, locked in a widening political confrontation over influence in Delta Central Senatorial District.

It was learnt that beyond the immediate allegations and denials, however, the latest confrontation reflects a deeper political struggle for control and influence within Delta Central, particularly the Urhobo political space, ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sources familiar with the developments told The Guardian that the relationship between Oborevwori and Omo-Agege became increasingly strained following an alleged disagreement over the Delta Central senatorial ticket.

According to the sources, Omo-Agege had expected to return to the Senate after the 2027 election, but the governor was allegedly backing Senator Ede Dafinone for the seat. The development reportedly became a major point of disagreement between the two political heavyweights.

Omo-Agege subsequently left the All Progressives Congress (APC) and pitched his political tent with the NDC in pursuit of his senatorial ambition.

The source’ further alleged that Oborevwori’s preference for Ede Dafinone was partly influenced by concerns that Omo-Agege, given his political profile and influence, would be difficult for the governor to control politically if returned to the Senate.

However, the emerging rivalry has assumed a more serious dimension following allegations by Omo-Agege that armed men allegedly linked to the governor attempted to assassinate him during a ward-to-ward campaign tour of the Ughelli South Local Government Area.

Omo-Agege, who is contesting the Delta Central senatorial seat on the platform of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), alleged that the incident occurred on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Usiefrun, Ughelli South, where he was campaigning alongside the NDC governorship candidate, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, and other party leaders.

According to the former Senate presiding officer, six NDC members sustained injuries in the alleged attack, while he, Iyovwaye and other party leaders escaped unharmed.

In a statement personally issued on Friday, Omo-Agege described the incident as an attempted assassination and linked it to what he called a coordinated campaign of violence ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the incident validated earlier warnings he issued on July 29 over alleged preparations for political violence in the state, citing previous incidents at Agholokpe and the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, where he said Hon. Temple Mudi was attacked.

“On Thursday, August 13, 2026, armed men affiliated with the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, attempted to take my life in Usiefrun, Ughelli South LGA,” Omo-Agege alleged.

He further alleged that the attackers targeted the NDC governorship candidate and other members of the party’s leadership.

The allegations have, however, been firmly rejected by the Delta State Government, which accused Omo-Agege of deploying what it described as political mudslinging against Governor Oborevwori in an attempt to attract media attention ahead of the 2027 elections.

The State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads and Public Information), Mr Charles Aniagwu, who responded to the allegations during a press briefing in Asaba, said Omo-Agege should concentrate on presenting his agenda and manifesto to the people of Delta Central instead of making allegations against the governor.

Aniagwu argued that the governor and Omo-Agege are not even contesting the same election, noting that Oborevwori is seeking re-election as governor while Omo-Agege is seeking to return to the Senate to represent Delta Central.

According to him, the decision by Omo-Agege to make allegations against the governor rather than campaign on his own programmes suggested that he lacked a compelling message for voters.

“What we have observed is that a number of these persons, particularly Senator Omo-Agege, don’t seem to have anything to campaign against Governor Oborevwori,” Aniagwu said.

He questioned why a senatorial candidate would make allegations against a governor who is seeking a different office and whose election would be conducted on a different ballot.

“If you are starting your campaign on the first day, instead of telling the people what you want to do to be able to win the Delta Central senatorial seat, you are alleging that somebody who is not on the same ballot with you is thinking of eliminating you,” the commissioner said. (The Guardian)

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