By Akpomieme Johnson

“A winner listens, a loser just waits until it is their time to talk” – Lazio

Former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege was a force to reckon with in the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. As number six person in Nigeria, he held sway, not only among his peers in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, but importantly in the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Omo-Agege’s word was not only law, he practically called the shots. And through deft manipulation and strong arm tactics, he was able to wrestle leadership from the duo of Chief O’tega Emehror and Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, who, hitherto were in charge. He similarly brushed aside a serving Minister of the Federal Republic, Chief Festus Keyamo, SAN.

Not only did the former DSP take charge, he exploited the enormous power that he wielded to ensure that he emerged the gubernatorial candidate of the APC for Delta State in the 2023 general elections. He was practically on a roller coaster ride in a boisterous display of unchallenged leadership.

Fast forward to the 2023 governorship election that he failed so woefully. Omo-Agege won only four out of 25 local governments in Delta State. He was roundly defeated by the then candidate of the rival Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, now Governor of the state.

It is on record that Oborevwori effectively trounced Omo-Agege with over 100,000 votes difference. He also humiliated the former DSP and his cohorts at the courts. The Governor surmounted 38 cases lodged against him by the opposition led by Omo-Agege and other traducers. The climax of the uphill challenge was the landmark decision by the Supreme Court affirming Oborevwori as the duly elected Governor of the state.

Since the historic victory of the Governor at the polls, his administration has witnessed a wider acceptance among the people. His legacy projects and prudent management of resources, coupled with a principled resolve not to borrow money to run the affairs of the state, has made him a darling of many, far beyond the electorate. He has received accolades outside the state.

It is therefore no surprise that the Presidency considered Oborevwori a beautiful bride and took definite steps to woo him into the APC family. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu saw in the Governor a worthy partner and did not waste time in welcoming him into the progressive camp in Nigeria.

In return, the immediate past Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, and by far the longest to have held such a position, caused a major tsunami when he collapsed the entire political structure in the state into the APC. Oborevwori, his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, members of the House of Representativess, incumbent Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor and members of House, the 25 local government chairmen and their Councillors, and all political appointees defected from the PDP and joined the APC in one day.

Of course, many have described the defection of Oborevwori as proof of his unwavering admiration and support for President Tinubu’s programmes and policies. It is an undisguised show of respect and solidarity of the Renewed Hope agenda. No wonder, it did not need any rigorous task to transit to Renewed Hope for MORE mantra, a fusion of the APC manifesto and Governor Oborevwori’s agenda.

However, it remains a sad commentary that Omo-Agege has not come to terms with the reality that his main rival, who also floored him at the polls has become leader of the APC in the state, a position publicly stated by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was in Asaba on April 28, 2025, as representative of Mr President when the tsunami took place.

The well attended ceremony, attended by APC governors across the country, including chairman of the progressive governors, Senator Hope Uzodinma, national chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje and other bigwigs, saw the confirmation of leadership on Governor Oborevwori. Same position has since been affirmed by the State Exco of the APC led by Elder Omeni Sobotie.

Even though Omo-Agege joined hands in raising the hands of Governor Oborevwori as leader of the party at the said defection ceremony, it would seem as though the tsunami took him by surprise and did not also go down well with him. The former DSP has tactically withdrawn and absented himself from subsequent activities of the party. He has also reportedly stayed off all state functions.

Apparently, he is not at peace with the fact that the Governor has upstaged him as leader of the party. Matters are not helped by Oborevwori’s said rejection of Omo-Agege’s bid to return to the Senate, having failed in 2023 to win the governorship position. In return, he has not hesitated in deploying arsenals or proxies against the Governor and his well articulated programmes.

The latest tirade against the Governor, was the feeble attempt in casting aspersions on the unity meeting organized by Delta Central Senatorial District of the APC. Omo-Agege was obviously not happy that the ceremony was successful and attended by top politicians across all spectrum of the zone.

And like a sour loser, that he has become, the Orogun, Ughelli North party chieftain has deployed surrogates to question the unanimous resolution of those who attended the meeting. He has also sought, albeit unsuccessfully, to put a wedge between the Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN and the incumbent senator for the district, Senator Ede Dafinone. It is definitely a clear case of crying more than the bereaved or seeking to be more Catholic than the Pope.

Highlights of the unity meeting included the endorsement of Tinubu and Oborevwori as sole candidates for the 2027 presidential and governorship elections respectfully. Leadership of the senatorial district was also conferred on Keyamo. No dissenting voices were heard on that occasion.

The adoption of Tinubu and Oborevwori of agreement by was the culmination of agreement by political gladiators and party faithful from the Federal, State and Local Government Levels who reaffirmed their support for the President and Governor.

Rt. Hon. Francis Waive, representing Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency, who moved the motion for the adoption of President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori, praised President Tinubu’s economic reforms and Governor Oborevwori’s astute leadership and performance. The motion was seconded by a former member of House of Representatives, Hon. Halims Agoda.

Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central, put the motion to a voice vote, which was unanimously adopted, showcasing the party’s strong backing for President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Chief Festus Keyamo, in his remarks, noted that the meeting was aimed at strengthening the bond of unity among party leaders and faithful, describing President Tinubu as the most astute economic manager of the nation’s resources.

Keyamo highlighted the synergy between the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu and the MORE Agenda of Governor Oborevwori, stating that their partnership was for the common good of the people. He added that in the anals of the history of the State, the political class were for once, united and speaking with one voice.

He said; “when a few of us in the leadership put together the idea that we need to solidify the base of our Governor, take note this meeting is is not just an ordinary meeting we knew it would be a resounding success. This is “Ukodo” base. No other senatorial district should have taken this initiative away from us.

“Since 1999, there has been no time that the Urhobo nation; Delta Central has been so united than today. And since 1999 we have not delivered 100% in Delta State to one party and I want to bet with everything I have that for the first time, Delta State will return APC 100%”.

State Chairman of the APC, Elder Sobotie who highlighted the significance of the meeting tagged “All Progressive Congress, Delta Central Unity Meeting”, appreciated supporters for their commitment and commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Keyamo for their leadership in fostering unity within the party.

Chairman of the party in Delta Central Senatorial District, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, noted that the State was witnessing a new dawn under Governor Oborevwori’s leadership and commended him for joining the APC. Chief Akpeki said; “The decision has reshaped the political landscape of Delta State”.

Other notable speakers, including the 2015 APC gubernatorial candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Executive Director, NEXIM Bank, Chief Stella Okotete, Chief Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Senator Ighoyota Amori, and Chairman Ughelli North Local Government, Chief Jaro Egbo, reaffirmed their commitment to unity and pledged to work together for the party’s success in the 2027 elections.

Sadly, it would seem that the outcome of that landmark meeting did not go down well with Omo-Agege who was conspicuously absent. It was obvious that he was not missed by the throng of leadership that converged in Ughelli North, his supposed home base for the epoch ceremony.

Allies of the erstwhile DSP have continued to query Oborevwori’s claim to the leadership of the party in the state. They have also openly lampooned Keyamo for allegedly also claiming to be leader of the APC in Delta Central. “How could the Minister claim leadership, when Dafinone, the substantive Senator representing the area has not left the party,” they asked.

Last we checked, Senator Dafinone who was physically present at the meeting and presided over the motions moved did not object to the decisions reached. Neither has he flayed any reference to the minister as leader. How come it is the Omo-Agege camp that raising dust about the resolutions of the meeting? Is it not a case of soured grapes?

It is about time Omo-Agege comes to grips with the reality that he has lost out in the power game in Delta Central and the entire state. He cannot muster up to half of the votes garnered in Ughelli North in 2023. At best, he may get sprinkle votes in Orogun, his village in 2027. It’s about time he wakes up from a fools dream.

But, Senator is at liberty to hope against hope, even though in this case, it will only end up a pipe dream. As noted by the philosopher, Lazio, winners listen to profound declarations, while noting that losers wait until the end to voice out their frustrations. It is understandable if the former DSP decides to cry following the avalanche of endorsements for Tinubu and Oborevwori for 2027 general elections. It is what all losers must do.

– Akpomieme is a rabid APC analyst based in Agbarho, Ughelli North.