Oborevwori accuses Omo-Agege of betrayal in politics

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has claimed that former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege cannot be trusted. He accused Omo-Agege of repeatedly falling out with political leaders who helped him in his career.

Oborevwori shared these views during an interview on Arise Television. He discussed recent political changes in Delta State and Omo-Agege’s departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor stated that Omo-Agege is not a political threat in the state, especially after his loss in the APC primary election for the Delta Central Senatorial District.

According to Oborevwori, party leaders knew for months that Omo-Agege was planning to leave the APC. "You know I smile. Ovie Omo-Agege, I will not say, I will not use the word pretentious because we saw it coming before he left. All his people left over three months ago. So we all are aware," he said.

Oborevwori pointed out that Omo-Agege did not consult party leaders before the primary election. This was different from how he approached seeking support for his own campaign.

"That was why he was not serious in the context of the primaries because he never consulted anybody. He never consulted me. He never consulted any leaders," Oborevwori said.

The governor emphasized that he talked to stakeholders before aiming for another term. He said these discussions helped create unity in his political group.

"APC is a big party. I met with people to say, 'Look, I want to go back for my second tenure, please.'

"But he never did that. I did that and that’s why you see that nobody even indicated interest to contest with me because we believe in this zoning arrangement," he added.

Oborevwori maintained that the APC Delta Central senatorial primary election was fair and open. He mentioned that the current Senator Ede Dafinone, who defeated Omo-Agege for the ticket, has a strong reputation in Delta Central.

"Dafinone is a big name in Urhobo land because his father was a senator and he has contributed to the development of Delta State. So that legacy is there," he said.

"We did a free and fair primary, and he lost. It’s for him to embrace because the process was transparent, very transparent. I’m a democrat."

Omo-Agege has claimed that the primary election was rigged against him.

Oborevwori also reflected on Omo-Agege’s political path. He alleged that the former deputy senate president has had conflicts with several influential politicians who helped him along the way.

"This same man, I don’t like talking about people, but I need to state it here. Ovie Omo-Agege, he came into politics in 2002.

"This state made him. The people that made him, he fought them. Who made him? James Ibori made him. He left. Betrayed Ogboru. He left. Betrayed O’tega Emerhor.

"He’s not somebody that can be trusted," the governor concluded.

Oborevwori also spoke about the resignation of former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, from the APC. He stated that he remains friends with Ochei despite their political differences.

"Ochei is my friend. He came and told me that he’s leaving. He’s in a different party. I can’t speak on that. I will speak about my party," he said.

"When the time comes for campaign, we will campaign. But it is sure that the people, the love they have shown to me, they will show it to my party."

PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately reach Mr Omo-Agege for his response to the governor’s comments.