2027 SENATORIAL RACE: OMO-AGEGE, VICTOR OCHEI MAKE INEC’S FINAL CANDIDATE LIST

Anxiety surrounding the eligibility of two prominent Delta State politicians, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, has eased following reports that both candidates have been included in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) final list for the 2027 general elections.

The development follows concerns triggered by a recent Supreme Court judgment on political party membership registers and candidate nomination procedures, which raised questions about the nomination processes involving some politicians who changed political parties shortly before their primaries.

According to a report published by The Townhall NG on Sunday, October 11, 2026, citing Sunday Punch, Omo-Agege and Ochei are among the prominent political figures whose names appeared on INEC’s final list of candidates for the forthcoming elections.

Omo-Agege, a former Deputy President of the Senate, is listed as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Delta Central Senatorial District, while Ochei is listed to contest the Delta North Senatorial District under the same political party.

Their inclusion comes against the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026, judgment on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing party membership registers and the nomination of candidates.

The seven-member panel, in a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro, reportedly upheld an appeal filed by INEC and restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which had earlier been invalidated by the Court of Appeal.

The case originated from a suit filed by the Zenith Labour Party challenging the constitutionality of the provisions.

The judgment reaffirmed the importance of political parties complying with statutory requirements relating to membership registers and candidate selection. It also addressed the procedures for nominating candidates through direct primaries or consensus.

Following the ruling, questions emerged over the implications for politicians who had switched parties shortly before their respective primaries, including Omo-Agege and Ochei.

However, the judgment did not expressly disqualify the politicians named in the ensuing debate. The validity of individual nominations remains dependent on compliance with the applicable electoral laws and legal requirements.

The reported appearance of both Delta politicians on INEC’s final list has therefore provided a measure of relief for their supporters as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.

HIGH-STAKES BATTLE IN DELTA

Ochei’s candidacy sets the stage for a keenly watched contest in Delta North, where political interests are expected to converge around the race for the Senate.

A former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Ochei brings his legislative experience and political network into the contest as he seeks to secure the district’s senatorial seat under the NDC platform.

Omo-Agege, meanwhile, remains a major political figure in Delta Central, having previously served as Deputy President of the Senate and represented the district in the National Assembly.

The reported inclusion of both candidates on INEC’s list is likely to intensify political calculations across Delta State as parties and aspirants position themselves ahead of the polls.

Beyond Delta, the development also has implications for other political figures whose nominations attracted scrutiny following the Supreme Court judgment.

The Townhall NG report stated that other candidates facing similar uncertainties were also included in INEC’s reported final list.

Nevertheless, inclusion on the list should not be interpreted as a blanket judicial endorsement of every nomination or as a determination of any separate legal challenge that may arise.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, attention is expected to shift towards campaign mobilisation, party strategies and the legal requirements governing the participation of candidates in the electoral process.