By The Metro 
Former Deputy Senate President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has formally announced his defection to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Omo-Agege, in a statement signed on Thursday, announced the move and also declared his intention to contest the Delta Central Senatorial seat on the platform of the NDC.
The former governorship candidate said his decision followed “weeks of reflection, wide consultations, and honest conversations” with political associates, supporters, and stakeholders across the country.
According to him, “Deltans want leadership that listens first, acts with integrity, and delivers results that can be seen and felt in daily life.”
Omo-Agege thanked the leadership of the NDC for engaging him during the process, specifically mentioning Senator Seriake Dickson, whom he described as Leader and Founder of the party; Senator Moses Cleopas, National Chairman; Governor Peter Obi, Presidential Aspirant; and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, whom he identified as Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and NDC chieftain.
“Their commitment to building a credible, people-first alternative gives me confidence that the NDC is the right platform for Delta State and Nigeria,” he stated.
The former Deputy Senate President described the NDC as “a party built on the principles of inclusion, accountability, grassroots participation, and true federalism.”
“It is a platform where decisions are not made in closed rooms but through open consultation with stakeholders and members. It is a platform where public office is treated as a duty to the people, not a privilege for a few,” he added.
Declaring his ambition for the Senate in 2027, Omo-Agege said his decision was driven by calls from constituents demanding his return to the National Assembly.
“Let me be clear: this is not about me. This is about the mandate you entrusted to me in 2019 and the renewed call from our people for my return to the Senate to provide effective representation.
“That call is loud, consistent, alive, and urgent. I cannot ignore it, and I will not betray the trust you have placed in me,” he said.
The former senator also criticised the state of infrastructure and governance in Delta State despite what he described as huge federal allocations accruing to the oil-rich state.
“Right now, too much of Delta’s wealth sits in CBN accounts while our people suffer from bad roads, collapsed hospitals, and abandoned communities. This is not governance. It is a failure of leadership and a betrayal of public trust,” he stated.
According to him, Delta residents deserved “better than press releases, billboards, and photo-ops.”
He further accused the political class of treating public office as “a personal business.”
Omo-Agege said the NDC represented “the only platform strong enough to challenge the cycle of failure and return power to the people where it belongs.”
He also pledged to rebuild the party structure in Delta State ahead of the next general elections.
“I know what it takes to build a political structure and make it competitive in Delta State. We did it before for the APC when many said it was impossible,” he said.
The former Deputy Senate President promised that, if elected, he would focus on effective representation, fair allocation of federal projects, job creation, support for small businesses, healthcare, agriculture, and education.
“I will not go to Abuja to warm the bench. I am going to fight for Delta Central,” he declared.
He also appealed for unity across the three senatorial districts of the state.
“I will represent Delta North, Delta South, and Delta Central with fairness and balance. A divided Delta is a weakened Delta,” he said.
Omo-Agege urged youths, women, traditional rulers, and voters across the state to mobilise ahead of the 2027 elections.
“To the youth of Delta State: your time is now. Do not accept the lie that you must wait your turn,” he stated.
Addressing voters, he added, “Your Permanent Voter’s Card is your greatest power. It is stronger than money, stronger than intimidation, and stronger than propaganda.”
The former Deputy Senate President said the 2027 elections would be “a defining moment for Delta State and for Nigeria.”
“In 2027, we will end the era of excuses, empty promises, and leaders who vanish after elections. We will return power to the people of Delta State and to the people of Nigeria,” he said.