A political advocacy group, Delta Central Mandate 2027, has accused former Deputy President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, of practising what it described as politics of double standards, alleging that he supports political arrangements only when they serve his personal interests.
The group, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Chief Julius Utake, and Secretary, Mr. Kingsley Awin, said Omo-Agege lacks the moral authority to criticise the current political configuration in Delta Central, arguing that similar arrangements have existed within his own political camp without attracting objections from him.
According to the group, Omo-Agege’s emergence as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Delta Central Senatorial District followed what it described as a controversial process. It alleged that although another aspirant had reportedly emerged from the party’s primary election, Omo-Agege eventually became the party’s senatorial candidate.
Delta Central Mandate 2027 further alleged that while Omo-Agege is now the NDC’s senatorial candidate, one of his close political associates from the same Ughelli North Local Government Area is the party’s candidate for the Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency, while the NDC candidate for the Delta State House of Assembly seat for Ughelli North Constituency 1 also hails from Orogun, the same community as Omo-Agege.
The group argued that Omo-Agege’s criticism of the political configuration within the All Progressives Congress (APC) therefore amounts to inconsistency and selective outrage.
It noted that the former Deputy Senate President has questioned the emergence of the APC’s Delta Central Senator, Senator Ede Dafinone, on the grounds that he is from Okpe Kingdom, while Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is also from Okpe Kingdom despite being from different local government areas.
According to the group, Omo-Agege’s position ignores the fact that the NDC itself has concentrated three major elective positions within the same local government area, with two of the candidates coming from the same community.
“When it favours Omo-Agege, it becomes the right political decision. But when another person benefits from a similar arrangement, it suddenly becomes bad political practice. Politics should be guided by fairness and consistency, not selfish interest,” the statement said.
The group maintained that the allegations levelled against the APC over political balancing have effectively rebounded on Omo-Agege, insisting that the former Deputy Senate President cannot credibly condemn an arrangement similar to one existing within his own political platform.
“If it is Omo-Agege, everything is right. If it is another person, then it becomes wrong. That is the kind of politics he plays. What favours him is right; what does not favour him is wrong. The Urhobo people are now politically wiser and will not fall for such gimmicks again,” the group stated.
Delta Central Mandate 2027 expressed confidence that voters across Delta Central would evaluate candidates based on competence, fairness and commitment to development rather than what it described as attempts to inflame ethnic or sectional sentiments.
The group reaffirmed its support for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Ede Dafinone and other APC candidates, expressing optimism that the electorate would reject what it termed “self-serving politics” and instead support leaders with proven records of service and inclusiveness.
It also called on political actors to conduct their campaigns with decorum, respect democratic principles and avoid statements capable of creating unnecessary divisions among the people of Delta Central.
