Dafinone Floors Omo-Agege, Okowa Defeats Ned Nwoko As Joel-Onowakpo Secures APC Senatorial Tickets In Delta

Three heavyweight politicians — Senator Ede Dafinone, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas — have emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary elections across Delta State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The primary elections, conducted through the direct primary system using Option A4 across the state’s senatorial districts, witnessed massive participation by party members and ended with major political upsets and emphatic victories.

In Delta Central Senatorial District, incumbent Senator Ede Dafinone recorded a stunning landslide victory over former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

Announcing the result, Secretary of the APC National Assembly Primary Committee, Barrister Nusa Amagbor, declared that Dafinone polled 116,252 votes, while Omo-Agege secured 3,643 votes.

Amagbor described the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and credible, noting that the direct primary method adopted by the party ensured broad participation across all local government areas in Delta Central.

“Having satisfied all the requirements of our great party and secured the highest number of valid votes cast, Senator Ede Dafinone is hereby declared winner of the Delta Central Senatorial District primary election,” he stated.

Reacting to his victory, Dafinone commended party members for their support and described the process as free and fair.

“Delta Central is a highly political terrain, and I want to thank all those who supported me throughout this process,” he said.

The senator also extended an olive branch to Omo-Agege, urging party leaders and members to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“I call on Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to join hands with members of our great party so we can work together for victory in 2027,” Dafinone added.

In Delta North Senatorial District, former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, defeated incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko in another dramatic APC primary contest.

The returning officer, Mr. Eugene Odo, announced that Okowa polled 113,309 votes to defeat Ned Nwoko, who scored 2,612 votes, while Mariam Ali secured 40 votes.

Odo declared Okowa winner after confirming that he satisfied all party requirements and secured the highest number of valid votes cast during the primary election.

The outcome has further reshaped the political landscape in Delta North, with party supporters celebrating what many described as a major political comeback for the former governor.

Meanwhile, in Delta South Senatorial District, incumbent Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas defeated former lawmaker, Hon. Michael Diden, by a wide margin to clinch the APC senatorial ticket.

Chairman of the election panel, Mr. Noel Nimnam, announced at the APC collation centre in Oleh that Joel-Onowakpo secured 87,805 votes, while Diden polled 30,794 votes.

The senator reportedly won in seven out of the eight local government areas declared during the exercise, with Diden only leading in Warri North Local Government Area.

Speaking after his victory, Joel-Onowakpo thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly Emomotimi Guwor, and party stakeholders for their support throughout the primary process.

According to him, the outcome reflected the confidence Delta South people have in his representation at the National Assembly.

“The way the people voted shows they have a lot of confidence in me, and I want to assure them that I will continue to provide quality representation,” he stated.

Joel-Onowakpo added that his return to the Senate as a ranking senator would position him to attract greater opportunities and development projects to Delta South.

He also called on APC members across the state to remain united and focused ahead of the 2027 elections, expressing optimism that the party would secure victory across Delta State.