Former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege and ex-Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, may have been granted automatic tickets to contest for the Delta Central and Delta North senatorial district seats respectively by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following waivers granted them by the party.
The duo recently resigned their membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the party’s primary elections in their areas.
In his resignation letter dated May 22, 2026, Omo-Agege, who served as deputy senate president in the 9th Senate, said “After reviewing recent developments in the party in Delta State and consulting with my associates and supporters, it is clear my political objectives and those of my constituents are better served outside the APC.”
Ochei, in a similar vein, said “after deep reflections and wide consultations, I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to formally resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and move on to continue my political journey elsewhere”, stressing however that his leaving was not “borne out of bitterness, resentment, or hostility toward anyone”.
In a statement on Thursday dated May 28, 2026, signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, the party said its leadership granted the newcomers waivers “to contest the Delta Central and Delta North Senatorial seats respectively on the platform of the party in the 2027 general elections.”
Director explained that “This decision follows the formal defection of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Victor Ochei from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC),” emphasising that the waivers were granted “in recognition of their political experience, leadership capacity, and commitment to democratic ideals, good governance, and service to the people.”
Part of the statement read: “The NDC warmly welcomes both distinguished political leaders into the party and assures them of a credible, inclusive, and people-oriented platform to advance their political aspirations and contribute meaningfully to the development of Delta State and Nigeria at large.
“The leadership of the party notes that the decision to grant the waivers was taken in recognition of their political experience, leadership capacity, and commitment to democratic ideals, good governance, and service to the people.
“The party leadership is confident that both leaders possess the competence, experience, and grassroots support necessary to deliver quality representation to the people of Delta Central and Delta North Senatorial Districts.
“The party remains committed to internal democracy, inclusion, transparency, and the collective aspiration of building a better Delta State and a greater Nigeria”.
In a related development, the NDC has frowned at a situation whereby some chapters or party official attempted to prevent duly cleared aspirants from participating in the party’s ongoing primaries across the country.
The party said reports of some aspirants allegedly being barred from participating in the exercise had come to the attention of the Screening and Selection Committees, and emphasised that all aspirants who successfully completed the screening process remained eligible to participate in the primaries.
It warned that any action contrary to this position was “null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
Consequently, party officials and members nationwide were directed to ensure that the primaries are conducted peacefully, transparently, and in strict compliance with the constitution and guidelines of the party.
According to the party’s statement, the presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly primaries of the party will hold nationwide on May 29, 2026.
The NDC further clarified that while State Assembly primaries would hold within the respective constituency areas, all other primaries would take place at the local government level as earlier communicated by the party’s leadership.
