19, May 2026
The All Progressives Congress concluded its senatorial primary elections across Delta State on Saturday, with Senator Ede Dafinone and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa emerging as winners in Delta Central and Delta North respectively. In Delta South, incumbent Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas held a clear lead.
Delta Central: Dafinone Defeats Omo-Age by Wide Margin
Senator Ede Dafinone, the current representative for Delta Central, won the APC senatorial primary in a landslide against former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Age.
According to Barr. Nusa Amagbor, Secretary of the APC National Assembly Primary Committee, Dafinone polled 116,252 votes while Omo-Age secured 3,643 votes.
“The election was conducted through the direct primary method, which has consistently been adopted for all our elections in Delta State, including those for the House of Representatives and the Senate,” Amagbor said. He noted that the process was peaceful and orderly, and that results had been duly authenticated.
“Having satisfied all the requirements of our great party and having secured the highest number of valid votes cast in this primary, Senator Ede Dafinone is hereby declared the winner of the Delta Central Senatorial District primary election,” he declared.
Reacting to the outcome, Dafinone praised the transparency and fairness of the process and thanked party members for their support. He also called on Omo-Age to work with the party ahead of 2027.
“Delta Central is, of course, a highly political terrain, and I want to use this opportunity to thank all those who supported me throughout our great party in achieving this victory today,” Dafinone said. “I will also take this opportunity to call on Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Age to join forces with other members of our party so that we can work together for victory in 2027 across all positions.”
Delta North: Okowa Unseats Nwoko
In Delta North, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa defeated incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko to clinch the APC ticket.
Returning officer Mr. Eugene Odo announced that Okowa polled 113,309 votes, while Nwoko received 2,612 votes and Mariam Ali secured 40 votes.
The primaries in Delta North used the direct primary system under Option A4, with voting conducted across all wards in the district’s eight local government areas. Party officials described the exercise as credible, peaceful, and transparent, with strong turnout from members.
Delta South: Joel-Onowakpo Ahead
In Delta South Senatorial District, incumbent Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas was leading in six of the eight local government areas at the time of reporting.
Results were announced in the presence of INEC officials who monitored the process.
Across the three districts, the APC adopted the direct primary format, which allowed party members to vote directly at ward level.
