Former Deputy President of the Senate and Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate for Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has dismissed a petition questioning his eligibility for the 2027 election, insisting that his membership of the NDC and nomination by the party remain valid.
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Omo-Agege made the clarification in a statement issued on Thursday in Asaba by his Media Adviser, Sunny Areh, in response to an open letter to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission seeking clarification on his membership of the NDC and his appearance on INEC’s final list of candidates.
The former Deputy Senate President maintained that the Supreme Court judgment of September 24, 2026, which restored provisions of the Electoral Act relating to political party membership registers and candidate nomination procedures, did not make any order disqualifying him from the Delta Central contest.
He described the petition challenging his candidacy as frivolous and worthless, arguing that he had resigned from the All Progressives Congress in accordance with applicable laws and party rules and that the circumstances surrounding his resignation were properly documented.
Omo-Agege further maintained that his membership of the NDC and the party’s submission of his name to INEC were valid and verifiable.
According to him, the NDC took steps to protect the nomination of its candidates, including granting waivers where necessary as an internal party measure.
He said his candidacy complied with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, including the provisions restored by the Supreme Court judgment.
“Today, the reality is that INEC, after due diligence and verification of all submissions by parties and candidates, has published its final lists of candidates for the 2027 general elections,” he said.
INEC’s published list places Omo-Agege as the NDC candidate for Delta Central, where he is expected to contest against incumbent Senator Ede Dafinone of the APC.
The controversy followed an open letter by APC chieftain Fegor Ogene asking INEC to clarify the documentary and legal basis for Omo-Agege’s listing, particularly his reported resignation from the APC, his participation in the APC primary and the NDC membership register relied upon for his nomination. The letter itself stated that it was not intended to prejudge Omo-Agege’s eligibility or suggest that the Supreme Court had specifically ordered his disqualification.
Omo-Agege, however, said the challenge amounted to another attempt by political opponents to question his candidacy ahead of the election.
He urged Dafinone and his supporters to concentrate on the electoral contest and allow their respective records of service to be assessed by voters.
“If Dafinone wants the Senate seat, he should come to the field with his record, his programme and his arguments for another term,” Omo-Agege had said while reacting to earlier interpretations of the Supreme Court judgment.
He maintained that the people of Delta Central would ultimately determine at the polls which candidate had served their interests better.
Omo-Agege said he remained focused on his campaign and would not be distracted by challenges to his nomination, reiterating his commitment to returning to the Senate on the platform of the NDC.
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