By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukeu, Asaba
A fresh wave of internal crisis is rocking the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a coalition of senior party leaders and elders have called for the disqualification of the party’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, from contesting the 2027 elections under the APC banner.
The group, which cuts across the three senatorial districts, submitted a damning petition to the State Chairman of the party, Elder Omeni Sobotie, accusing Omo-Agege of financial impropriety, betrayal of party interests, and serial acts of anti-party conduct.
“Our party cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. Senator Omo-Agege’s leadership during the 2023 election was a disaster that cost us dearly,” the petition stated.
According to the elders, despite receiving significant campaign funds from the APC national secretariat, the former deputy senate president allegedly disbursed a meagre ₦100,000 per unit, leaving party structures underfunded and unmotivated at the grassroots level. This, they claimed, crippled mobilisation efforts and directly contributed to the party’s defeat at the polls.
They also alleged that Omo-Agege manipulated results in favour of the opposition PDP in the Ethiope Federal Constituency, which they say led to the loss of Hon. John Halims Agoda’s election bid. A video purportedly showing the senator admitting to this has circulated widely on social media.
In addition, the petition accused Omo-Agege of withholding ₦78 million sent by the national secretariat and diverting ₦52 million to a personal aide without accountability. The former lawmaker was also fingered in the imposition of candidates and orchestrating a fraudulent endorsement campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.
The elders further alleged that Omo-Agege undermined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the APC national convention and worked against Senator Godswill Akpabio’s emergence as Senate President, despite Tinubu’s preference.
“His recent attempts to align with the presidency are nothing but pretentious acts of desperation,” the document read. “The same man who worked against Tinubu’s interest is now parading himself as a loyalist. The party must not be deceived.”
They also accused him of consistently ignoring reconciliation efforts and alienating critical party stakeholders. His alleged moves to corner the 2027 APC governorship ticket without consensus have been described as divisive and deceptive.
The petitioners are demanding the following: an independent investigation into Omo-Agege’s handling of campaign funds; disciplinary measures for acts of sabotage against fellow APC candidates; a full audit of campaign finances; and a formal statement from the party barring him from seeking the 2027 gubernatorial ticket.
“Delta APC cannot endure another round of self-inflicted loss,” they warned. “Senator Omo-Agege has lost all moral legitimacy to lead the party into another election.”
As at press time, Senator Omo-Agege has not responded to the allegations.