Omo-Agege Resigns From APC After Delta Primary Setback

Former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, has resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress, citing internal developments within the party and the need to pursue the interests of his constituents through a different political platform.

Resignation letter

Omo-Agege’s resignation was contained in a letter dated May 22, 2026, addressed to the chairman of APC Orogun Ward 2 in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The former Delta Central senator explained that recent events within the party had made it difficult for him to continue advancing the political and developmental aspirations of his people under the APC.

According to him, his decision followed wide consultations with political associates, supporters, and stakeholders across Delta State.

“I will not remain a sitting duck in a party where I cannot advance the interests of Delta Central, Delta State and Nigeria,” the former lawmaker reportedly stated in the resignation letter.

Omo-Agege also expressed appreciation to the APC for providing him the platform to serve as Deputy President of the 9th Senate, describing the opportunity as a privilege he would always cherish.

He further requested that his name be removed from all party registers, communication channels, and official structures of the APC at the ward, state, and national levels.

The resignation comes barely days after Omo-Agege reportedly lost the APC senatorial primary election for Delta Central ahead of the 2027 general elections, a development political observers believe may have influenced his decision to quit the party.

A prominent figure in Delta State politics, Omo-Agege was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Delta State. He also served as Deputy Senate President between 2019 and 2023 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

His exit is expected to trigger fresh political realignments within the APC in Delta State, especially in Delta Central Senatorial District where he commands significant political influence.

As of the time of filing this report, the APC leadership had yet to officially react to his resignation or disclose whether efforts were being made to persuade him to reconsider his decision.

Omo-Agege Resigns From APC After Delta Primary Setback

ADC Presidential Primary Crisis: Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen Reject ‘Concocted’ Results

ABUJA, NIGERIA – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is engulfed in a deepening leadership crisis following its presidential primary election held on Monday, with two of its three major aspirants rejecting the outcome. Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has formally rejected the results, labeling them “concocted” and alleging that about 80 percent of party members were systematically prevented from voting.

In a detailed statement issued on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Amaechi accused the party leadership of abandoning the very principles of fairness and transparency upon which the ADC was founded. His protest was swiftly backed by another key contender, economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who announced a boycott of the final collation ceremony, citing “widespread vote rigging.” Meanwhile, partial results collated from several states show former Vice President Atiku Abubakar maintaining a commanding lead, setting the stage for a potential legal battle over the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election.

Amaechi: “I Unequivocally Reject the Concocted Results” – Amaechi, who was the Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari, did not mince words in his rejection of the primary process. He stated that the exercise fell far short of the basic standards of a democratic election. “Following reports of widespread voter disenfranchisement in most parts of the country during the ADC presidential primaries yesterday, I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced,” Amaechi wrote. He reminded the party that his participation was conditional from the start. “I had initially stated that I would only accept the outcome of the primaries if the process was free, fair, and transparent, and I stand by my word. I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values that the ADC had pledged to uphold.” The former governor specifically quantified the scale of the alleged malpractice. “There’s no way that about eighty percent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results. Then what makes us different from the others?” he queried, drawing a sharp contrast between the ADC’s stated ideals and its conduct.

Hypocrisy Allegation: “You Cannot Condemn APC and Do the Same” – Amaechi leveled a strong accusation of hypocrisy against the ADC leadership, noting that the party has built its public image on criticizing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for electoral malpractices. “A party that criticizes the ruling APC and INEC for vote buying, rigging, and writing of results cannot be engaged in vote buying, writing of results, and other electoral malpractices that lead to the disenfranchisement of voters who are party members. This is not acceptable,” he stated. He argued that the ADC was created to provide Nigerians with a credible alternative platform, not to replicate the failures of the establishment. “The whole idea of the ADC was to give the Nigerian people a platform, to amplify the voices of the downtrodden, and make Nigeria a better place for everyone irrespective of backgrounds, ethnicity, or religion,” Amaechi added.

READ ALSO:

• Lagos-Ibadan Trains to Run Six Trips on Tuesday as FG Cuts Sallah Fares by Half
• 7 years of force has failed, try amnesty for bandits — Gumi tells FG
• Iru Ekun: I’ve submitted documents, awaiting FG’s approval — Igboho
• Mass Defection Hits Bauchi APC as Senators, Reps, Aspirants Dump Ruling Party

Hayatu-Deen Joins Revolt, Boycotts Declaration Ceremony – Reinforcing Amaechi’s claims, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a former Managing Director of the defunct FSB International Bank, announced he would not participate in the final collation and declaration of results in Abuja. “I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC presidential election results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps,” Hayatu-Deen posted on his social media handle. His boycott effectively means that only Atiku Abubakar’s camp and party officials are expected at the formal declaration ceremony, raising questions about the legitimacy and unity of the process.

Partial Results Show Atiku with Commanding Lead – Despite the objections from the two aspirants, the ADC National Working Committee has continued the collation of results from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to data released from multiple states, Atiku Abubakar is currently leading by a wide margin. Partial results collated from 24 states indicate that Atiku won in 22 states and the FCT, while Amaechi reportedly won in only two states. Below are the official collated results from selected states as announced by various returning officers:

Source: ADC State Collation Centers / Daily Trust

In Imo State specifically, the Chairman of the ADC National Presidential Primary Electoral Panel, Eko Atu, declared that Atiku polled 52,200 votes across 305 political wards and 27 council areas, defeating Amaechi (7,659 votes) and Hayatu-Deen (1,121 votes).

Party Reacts: “Seek Redress Through Proper Channels” – Responding to the growing crisis, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, urged the aggrieved aspirants to channel their complaints through the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms rather than the press. “We currently do not have sufficient evidence to either support or dismiss those claims. Since the results are still being collated, we have not observed any clear pattern that would substantiate such allegations,” Abdullahi said during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He further emphasized that INEC officials have been present throughout the process, adding legitimacy to the collation. “INEC has attended and monitored all our congresses and primary elections across the 36 states and the FCT. Every stage of the process has been fully documented by INEC officials.” Abdullahi also dismissed claims of a parallel faction running a separate primary, stating that INEC recognizes the current National Working Committee as the legitimate body.

What Next? Potential Legal Challenge Looms – With both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen rejecting the outcome and vowing to “take advice on next steps,” political analysts expect a legal challenge to the ADC presidential primary results. The party had planned to broadcast the final declaration live on major television stations on Tuesday evening, but the legitimacy of that declaration is now in serious doubt. The crisis threatens to fracture the ADC at a critical time as opposition parties reposition for the 2027 Nigerian general election, scheduled for January 16, 2027. The party had hoped to present a united front but now faces the prospect of internal litigation and factionalization.

ADC Presidential Primary Crisis: Amaechi, Hayatu-Deen Reject ‘Concocted’ Results

BREAKING: Court Dismisses Suit Seeking To Stop Jonathan From Contesting 2027 Presidency

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed a suit seeking to bar former President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

The suit, filed by legal practitioner Johnmary Jideobi, had asked the court to declare Jonathan ineligible to seek the presidency again on the grounds that he had already taken the oath of office twice as President of Nigeria.

Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu struck out the case, describing it as an abuse of court process. The judge also awarded financial sanctions against the plaintiff for instituting what the court considered a frivolous suit.

The plaintiff had argued that Jonathan’s assumption of office following the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010, and his subsequent election in 2011, amounted to two terms in office, thereby making him constitutionally ineligible to contest again.

According to the suit, Section 137(1)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution disqualifies any person who has been elected to the office of President at any two previous elections from seeking another term.

However, counsel to Jonathan urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the constitutional amendment being relied upon by the plaintiff could not be applied retroactively against the former president.

Jonathan’s legal team further maintained that courts had previously addressed similar issues and ruled that the ex-president remained eligible under the law.

The court agreed with the defence and held that the matter lacked merit, leading to the dismissal of the case.

The judgment is expected to further fuel political discussions surrounding Jonathan’s possible return to active presidential politics ahead of the 2027 general election, although the former president has not publicly declared any intention to contest.

Jonathan served as Nigeria’s President between 2010 and 2015 after completing the tenure of Yar’Adua and later winning the 2011 presidential election. He lost his re-election bid in 2015 to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

BREAKING: Court Dismisses Suit Seeking To Stop Jonathan From Contesting 2027 Presidency