Delta Central APC Primaries: Dafinone Defeats Omo-Agege to Retain Senatorial Ticket
By Ovie Edomi
Senator Ede Dafinone, incumbent Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District today defeated his opponent, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, former Deputy Senate President to clinch the APC senatorial ticket during the APC primaries.
The APC primaries which was conducted using direct primary system also known as Option A4, was held at ward levels across the eight local government areas that make up the Delta Central Senatorial District. The APC primaries in Delta Senatorial Central witnessed massive participation by party members.
Across all the eight local government areas in Delta Central Senatorial district, Dafinone dominated the contest, winning with a wide margin.
Meanwhile, Omo-Agege, who represented Delta Central for two terms in the Senate and later served as Deputy President of the Senate, before stepping aside in 2023 to contest the Delta State governorship election, which he lost to the incumbent Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, could not match the incumbent lawmaker, as the incumbent lawmaker reaffirmed his strong grassroots support within the district.
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.
The breakdown of the results show that in Ughelli North, Dafinone polled 22,329 votes against Omo-Agege’s 1,873. 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 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 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.
The sub total 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.
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 noted “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.
Furthermore,Barr. Nusa Amagbor noted “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. On his part, Senator Ede Dafinone commended the process and thanked the people of Delta Central for the confidence reposed in him again.
According to the incumbent senator, “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.
Also, former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has emerged victorious in the Delta APC senatorial primaries, defeating key opponent Ned Nwoko
Meanwhile, as at the time of going to Press the office of the National chairman of APC has said that the National Working Committee has said that no results of the Senatorial district should be announced until it is formally verified and approved by the Committee