By Esada Uyono
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta Central, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, has urged the public to disregard what he described as misleading social media reports claiming that former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, won the Delta Central Senatorial Primary Election.
Akpeki maintained that Senator Ede Dafinone was duly elected as the APC candidate for the 2027 general elections following what he described as a free, fair, and peaceful primary conducted by officials of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Speaking during an interview with journalists on Tuesday at his country home in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, Akpeki said the outcome of the exercise reflected the true wishes of party members across Delta Central.
“The people had their way. The voters had their way. The majority had their way. Today, Senator Ede Dafinone is our flag bearer for the 2027 elections,” he stated.
According to him, the primary election was conducted in line with laid-down procedures by APC officials deployed from Abuja, stressing that unofficial declarations and social media narratives should not be taken seriously.
Reacting to reports allegedly challenging the outcome of the exercise, particularly claims of victory credited to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Akpeki insisted that only results officially announced by the party remain valid.
“Anybody can feel aggrieved, but if someone claims victory, how did he become the winner if he was not officially declared winner?” he queried.
Akpeki further disclosed that the official results released by the APC committee showed Senator Dafinone polling 116,252 votes, while Omo-Agege secured 3,643 votes.
“The figures are clear. Officials sent from Abuja by the National Working Committee conducted the primaries and declared a winner. Senator Ede Dafinone was declared winner, remains the winner, and is our candidate for the 2027 elections,” he added.
The APC chairman also cautioned against relying on unverified social media information, emphasizing that the party leadership remains committed to official procedures and credible communication channels.
“I do not react to social media stories. I react to official information,” he said.
Speaking on the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 elections, Akpeki expressed confidence in the APC’s strength in Delta State and dismissed suggestions that the opposition was gaining ground.
“As far as the APC is concerned, we are still firmly on ground. We will deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and all our candidates in 2027,” he declared.
Akpeki also commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for what he described as impactful infrastructural development and continuity in governance across the state.
He cited ongoing road projects linking Asaba, Isoko, and Ughelli, improvements in healthcare infrastructure, bursary payments, and youth empowerment initiatives as evidence of the governor’s achievements.
“When somebody performs well, you praise him. I think the people of Delta State are blessed with Governor Oborevwori,” he said.
On post-primary reconciliation, the Delta Central APC chairman assured party members that steps would be taken to unite aggrieved stakeholders ahead of the general elections.
“The APC remains one family, and all of us will continue to work together. I can assure you that all will be well,” he concluded.
