The political landscape of Delta State is witnessing a seismic shift, a move so strategic it has the potential to redraw the state’s political map ahead of the 2027 elections. The recent declaration of loyalty by former Deputy Senate President, His Excellency, Ovie Omo-Agege to His Excellency, Rt.Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori has sent ripples across the political sphere. This event, seemingly a simple acknowledgment at a social gathering, is a profound political maneuver that demands a deeper analysis of the agendas, ambitions, and altered realities that have brought these two gladiators to this point.
*The Battle of Agendas: A Retrospective on the 2023 Gubernatorial Race*
The 2023 election was a clash not just of personalities, but of distinct governance visions encapsulated in carefully crafted acronyms. H.E. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda
running on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), stood for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security. In practice, his administration has been defined by an unprecedented infrastructure rollout, with over 510 road and bridge projects spanning nearly 1,450 kilometres initiated across the state. This tangible delivery, coupled with a reported surge in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from ₦83 billion in 2023 to ₦158 billion in 2024, has cemented his reputation as a results-oriented leader and earned him multiple “Governor of the Year” awards.
H.E, Ovie Omo-Agege’s EDGE Agenda
as then candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC), a 60-page work plan designed to “Build a New Delta”. EDGE encapsulated Employment and Empowerment, Good Governance, Development, and Enduring Peace and Security. His campaign promised a radical departure from the incumbent government, focusing on tackling “scary unemployment rates” through a state employment program (DEEP), establishing technology hubs, and improving the ease of doing business by removing bureaucratic bottlenecks. His narrative was one of dismantling a long-standing political “cabal” and ushering in a new dawn of perceived transparent leadership.
*The 2027 Chessboard: Ambitions and a Political Earthquake*
The run-up to 2027 set the stage for a major confrontation. H.E, Omo-Agege, having previously served as Deputy President of the Senate, was widely believed to be gearing up for a rematch, seeking to reclaim the governorship. His ambition was a constant in Delta’s political calculations and permutations.
The game-changing variable, however, was the strategic movement of H.E Sheriff Oborevwori from the PDP to the APC. A realignment that is referred to as the “renewed HOPE for MORE Agenda,” a political masterstroke. It saw Oborevwori co-opting the national brand of President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda while retaining the local credibility of his own successful M.O.R.E. Agenda.
For Omo-Agege, it is an orchestrated way forward perhaps to be viewed in patroitic lenses by Deltans. The defection of a sitting governor to one’s party typically includes negotiations that guarantee the governor control over the party’s structure in the state, directly threatening the political base and influence of established figures like Omo-Agege.
*The Wedding Truce: A Strategic Capitulation.*
It is against this tense backdrop that the event of last week unfolded. At the marriage ceremony of Chief Ayiri Emami’s younger sister in Warri, a moment of high political symbolism occurred. H.E, Ovie Omo-Agege publicly acknowledged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as “the leader of the party (APC) in Delta State”.
This was far more than a social courtesy; it was a strategic capitulation and a public validation of the new political reality. For Omo-Agege, this declaration serves several purposes:
· It averts an all-out war: Publicly challenging a sitting governor who has just joined your party is a losing battle.
· It secures a political future : Acknowledging the new leader might pave the way for a significant federal appointment, as some of his supporters have advised, allowing him to “increase the influence of the Urhobo people at the federal level”.
· It preserves his brand : A protracted, bitter internal party fight could have permanently damaged his political standing.
For Oborevwori, this declaration is an immense victory. It consolidates his authority, demobilizes a powerful internal opponent, and sends a clear message to other APC members about who is in charge, all but clearing his path for the 2027 ticket under the APC.
*The Road to 2027: Implications and Unanswered Questions*
This reconciliation, if it holds, fundamentally alters the dynamics of the next election in Delta State.
A Fortified Incumbent: Oborevwori would become an almost unstoppable force, running on a combined platform of his proven track record (M.O.R.E.) and the power of the national ruling party (Renewed Hope).
· A Weakened but Pacified Opposition: The APC’s internal rift would be sutured, presenting a unified front that could be devastating for the PDP, which would now be left to fight a battle on two fronts.
· The Uncertainty of Implementation: While the public declaration is significant, the real test will be in the months to come. Can both camps genuinely work together? How will the existing APC structure, built by Omo-Agege, be integrated with the governor’s new political machinery?
In conclusion, the handshake at the wedding was more than a photo opportunity; it was a pivotal moment of realignment. It underscores a timeless truth in politics: there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests. The fierce rivalry of the EDGE and M.O.R.E. agendas appears to have been subdued by the overwhelming incentive of power, setting the stage for a new, consolidated political era in Delta State, the stability and success of which now rest on the shoulders of the new “undisputed leader,” Sheriff Oborevwori.
In the final analysis, PBAT mandate is non negotiable.
Engr Matthew Onokpasa is a policy analysts and development expert, he writes from Asaba, Delta State.