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I Congratulated Oborevwori on His 360,000 Votes – And I’m Done Looking Back, Says Omo-Agege

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Delta State during the 2023 general elections, has delivered a striking plea for party unity — congratulating Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on his election victory while firmly closing the door on any re-litigation of the disputed poll.

In a statement issued Thursday night, the former Deputy President of the 9th Senate acknowledged that while he would have “responded in full measure” as an adversary had they remained in different parties, the political landscape has changed.

“We are now one family under the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Omo-Agege said, referencing Oborevwori’s recent defection to the ruling party. “What Delta APC needs today is not division, but unity.”

The statement comes in response to remarks made by Governor Oborevwori during a lecture in Lagos titled “Inclusive Governance and National Unity: Lessons from Delta State for a United Nigeria,” where he reportedly referenced the 2023 Delta governorship election.

Omo-Agege, who is also the Obarisi of Urhoboland, made clear he has no interest in revisiting the past.

“The 2023 Governorship Election has come and gone and is now behind us. The Supreme Court has spoken, and its decision is final. And I respect the judgment fully,” he said.

“Re-litigating the matter in the media or at public events serves no useful purpose. As a democrat, I congratulated Mr. Governor then for the now-famous 360,000 votes that won him the election in twenty-one local government areas, and I do so again now. The past is in the rearview mirror. Our focus must now be on 2027. Let us look forward.”

Omo-Agege took pride in his own performance, noting that he secured over 240,000 votes and won four local government areas in Delta Central.

“To every Deltan who supported me in 2023, and to everyone who believed in our vision: I am forever grateful. You have my assurance: I owe you, and indeed all our people, an even greater level of service,” he said.

The former lawmaker urged Governor Oborevwori, who is now the leader of the APC in Delta State, to join him in fostering “healing, reconciliation, and inclusion.”

“Only a united APC can deliver Delta State for President Tinubu and win every seat in 2027,” Omo-Agege said, revealing that he gave a personal commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima to work with the governor to unify the party.

In a direct message to his supporters, Omo-Agege urged restraint and dignity, asking them not to engage in negativity. He instead highlighted what he called his “legacy of bold, transformative leadership” while in the Senate — including facilitating the legal status of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun; establishing the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun; founding the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale; and driving the creation of an Oil and Gas Industrial Park and the Nigerian Defence Space School in Delta State.

“Let us choose unity over division. Let us choose victory over vendetta. In Delta APC, unity must be more than talk. It must be our strength,” Omo-Agege concluded.

Omo-Agege’s statement reads in full:

My attention has been drawn to comments reportedly made by His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, during his lecture yesterday in Lagos on _“Inclusive Governance and National Unity: Lessons from Delta State for a United Nigeria,”_ where he referenced the 2023 Delta State Governorship Election.

2. If we were still in different political parties, I would feel compelled to respond in full measure, as an adversary would. But that is no longer the case. We are now one family under the All Progressives Congress (APC). What Delta APC needs today is not division, but unity. As a frontline leader in our party, my goal is clear: to secure victory for every APC candidate — from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu down to our House of Assembly candidates. That commitment remains sacrosanct.

3. The 2023 Governorship Election has come and gone and is now behind us. The Supreme Court has spoken, and its decision is final. And I respect the judgment fully. Re-litigating the matter in the media or at public events serves no useful purpose. As a democrat, I congratulated Mr. Governor then for the now-famous 360,000 votes that won him the election in twenty one local government areas, and I do so again now. The past is in the rearview mirror. Our focus must now be on 2027. Let us look forward.

4. I am however proud of the over 240,000 votes that gave us victory in four Delta Central LGAs. To every Deltan who supported me in 2023, and to everyone who believed in our vision: I am forever grateful. You have my assurance: I owe you, and indeed all our people, an even greater level of service.

5. Since May 29, 2023, I have pursued one mission: strengthening the unity of our party. I will not relent.

6. I respectfully urge His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State and Leader of the APC in Delta State, to join me in fostering healing, reconciliation, and inclusion. We must silence every voice and action that seeks to divide us.

7. Only a united APC can deliver Delta State for President Tinubu and win every seat in 2027. I gave my word to our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and my friend and brother, Vice-President Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, that I would work with our Governor to unify the party and deliver victory in 2027. By God’s grace, I shall honour that solemn commitment.

8. To my supporters: this is my direct message to you. Keep your heads high. Do not engage in negativity. Stand tall on our record of extraordinary accomplishments in the 8th and 9th Senate.

9. As you canvass support for me and other leaders in our party, do so with civility, dignity and respect. Let our people know about our record of public service. Be proud to say I was instrumental in passing the law that gave permanent legal status to the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun.

10. Be proud to say I was instrumental in passing the law establishing the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, and in driving the construction of this modern tertiary institution.

11. Be proud to say I facilitated the establishment of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale — an institution that has now taken off.

12. Be proud to say I facilitated the establishment of the Oil and Gas Industrial Park in Delta State.

13. Be proud to say I also facilitated the establishment and full construction of the Nigerian Defence Space School in our State.

14. These are not claims. They are facts — part of our legacy of bold, transformative leadership. With another mandate from the great people of the Urhobo Nation and all of Delta Central in 2027, we shall do even more — with God on our side.

15. Let us choose unity over division. Let us choose victory over vendetta. In Delta APC, unity must be more than talk. It must be our strength.

Signed:
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR, KSJI

Deputy President of the 9th Senate and The Obarisi of Urhoboland.