The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has approved waivers for former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, and former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, to contest senatorial seats under the party’s platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party said Omo-Agege would contest for the Delta Central Senatorial District seat, while Ochei would seek the Delta North Senatorial ticket following their recent defections from the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The development comes less than a week after Omo-Agege formally resigned from the APC and announced his move to the opposition party amid growing political realignments ahead of the next election cycle.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, said the waivers were granted in recognition of the duo’s political experience, leadership credentials and grassroots influence in Delta State.
“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 statement read.
“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.”
Omo-Agege, who was the APC governorship candidate in Delta State during the 2023 elections, had earlier confirmed his defection in a statement released through his media adviser, Sunday Areh.
“Today, I formally announce my decision to join the National Democratic Congress(NDC),” the former lawmaker declared.
According to him, the decision followed weeks of consultations with political associates, stakeholders and supporters across the country.
“This decision is the product of weeks of reflection, wide consultations, and honest conversations with the people I serve,” he stated.
Omo-Agege also publicly endorsed Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate for 2027, while pledging to work for the party’s electoral success nationwide.
He said the NDC represented “the clearest path” toward advancing the interests of Delta State and Nigeria, describing the party as one built on inclusion, accountability, grassroots participation and true federalism.
The former deputy Senate president also confirmed his intention to return to the Senate through the Delta Central seat.
“On this platform, I will contest for the Delta Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections,” he said.
“This is about the mandate you entrusted to me in 2019 and the renewed call from our people for my return to the Senate to provide effective representation.”
Omo-Agege used the occasion to criticise the state of infrastructure and public services in Delta despite what he described as substantial federal allocations to the state government.
“Right now, too much of Delta’s wealth sits in CBN accounts while our people suffer from bad roads, collapsed hospitals, and abandoned communities. This is not governance. It is a failure of leadership and a betrayal of public trust,” he stated.
Political observers believe the defection could reshape opposition politics in Delta State as preparations for the 2027 elections gradually intensify.
Omo-Agege also vowed to strengthen the NDC structure in Delta and mobilise support across the state, recalling the role he played in building the APC into a competitive force in previous elections.
