Executive Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Stella Okotete, has asserted that Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, defeated former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, in the 2023 governorship election despite what she described as the overwhelming support of the Federal Government for the APC candidate at the time.
Okotete made the remarks while reacting to comments made by Omo-Agege during his appearance on ARISE Television's The Morning Show on Wednesday.
She argued that the outcome of the 2023 governorship election remains a testament to Governor Oborevwori's popularity and acceptance among the people of Delta State, dismissing suggestions that the governor lacks political influence within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to her, the APC's decision to embrace Oborevwori was informed by the need to strengthen the party's leadership structure in Delta State.
"The APC gave Governor Sheriff Oborevwori the platform when it became clear that the party in Delta lacked the leadership capacity required at the time," she stated.
Okotete also recalled that Omo-Agege had previously endorsed a minority APC report alongside some of his associates months before Oborevwori formally joined the party.
Reflecting on the 2023 election results, she noted that Governor Oborevwori secured victories in 21 of Delta State's 25 local government areas, while Omo-Agege won only a handful of councils.
"While the governor won 21 local government areas in the election, Omo-Agege won only about three and a half local governments," she said.
She further questioned the credibility of some of the votes recorded in areas considered Omo-Agege's political strongholds, alleging that certain results were artificially inflated.
"My brother's organic votes were created in Orogun at midnight. Those of us who were actively involved in the field understand what I mean by that," she alleged.
Okotete maintained that the election result remains the strongest evidence of Oborevwori's political strength, stressing that he defeated a highly placed federal officeholder despite the advantages available to him at the time.
"The then Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, by the grace of God, defeated the sitting Deputy Senate President who enjoyed the full weight of federal might in the 2023 governorship election. The facts speak for themselves, and I will leave Nigerians to draw their own conclusions," she added.
