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 senatorial 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.
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, Hon. Benjamin Okiemute, flanked by Barr. Nusa Amagbor, Secretary, APC National Assembly Primary Committee and Abimbola Samuel, member, APC National Assembly Committee, stated that the process adhered strictly to party guidelines, noting that 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 Aniagwu 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. 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.
The Secretary to the Delta State National Assembly Primary Election Committee of the Party, Barr. Nusa Amagbor who served as the retuning officer for the election, stated that; "Party stakeholders in Delta Central, our proceedings here today have been peaceful, and we sincerely thank you all for your cooperation and orderly conduct throughout this exercise.
"As you are aware, the election was conducted through the direct primary method, which has consistently been adopted for all our elections in Delta State, including those for the House of Representatives and the Senate.
At this stage, we are no longer collating results but making an official declaration, as the process has been duly concluded.
"By the powers conferred on me as the Secretary of the National Assembly Electoral Committee for Delta State, duly constituted by our National Chairman and the National Working Committee, I hereby affirm that the exercise has been successfully conducted.
"Based on the authenticated results before me; Senator Ede Dafinone scored a total of 116,252 votes, his opponent scored a total of 3,643 votes.
"Having satisfied all the requirements of our great party and having secured the highest number of valid votes cast in this primary, Senator Ede Dafinone is hereby declared the winner of the Delta Central Senatorial District primary election."
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.
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 Distinguished 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.
Thank you so much.”
