Political pressure groups within the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State have intensified calls on party leader and businessman, O’tega Emerhor, to formally declare his intention to contest the Delta Central Senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The groups Emerhor Political Family (EPF) and the Delta Central Youth Council (DCYC) said Emerhor’s long-standing role in building the APC in Delta State makes him the most suitable candidate to represent the district in the Senate.
The renewed push comes amid rising political mobilization across Delta Central, as aspirants begin positioning ahead of the party primaries expected between April and May 2026.
The endorsement campaign gained momentum during a high-level visit to Emerhor’s country home in Evwerni, Ughelli North Local Government Area, led by leaders of the EPF and DCYC, including elder statesman Chief Martins Owhoevwo and former diplomat Ambassador Frank Efeduma.
The groups described Emerhor as a founding pillar of the APC in Delta State, recalling his role as the party’s first senatorial candidate in 2013 and later governorship flagbearer in 2015.
According to Chief Owhoevwo, Emerhor’s leadership has remained central to the party’s growth in the state.
He embodies unity and inclusion. From small political structures, he helped build what is now a strong and organised political family, Owhoevwo said.
He added that Emerhor’s leadership style has created a multi-generational political movement that continues to expand across Delta Central.
Other stakeholders at the meeting argued that Delta Central deserves balanced political representation, stressing that leadership opportunities should not remain concentrated within a small circle.
APC House of Assembly aspirant for Uvwie Constituency, Mr. Mudiaga Okorefe, said leadership must reflect fairness and inclusion.
Using a local analogy, he noted that it should not be only one child that keeps feeding from the same source, calling for broader participation in governance.
He added that Emerhor’s political structure remains fully mobilised and ready to support him if he declares for the race.
The Delta Central Youth Council also pledged full grassroots mobilisation ahead of the APC primaries.
State Coordinator Comrade Joseph Edegware, along with other youth leaders and political stakeholders, said Emerhor’s track record makes him the most credible candidate to consolidate APC’s influence in the senatorial district.
They urged both state and national party leadership to recognise his contributions to the party’s establishment and growth in Delta State.
In his response, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor expressed appreciation for the sustained loyalty and support from party stakeholders since the formation of the APC in 2013.
He recalled his pioneering role in the party’s early days, noting that he was among the first to contest elections under the APC platform in Delta State shortly after its formation. We laid the foundation of what the APC has become today through sacrifice, endurance, and commitment, he said.
Emerhor acknowledged the renewed calls for him to contest the Delta Central senatorial seat but said he is still consulting widely before making any formal declaration.
He emphasised that the current political environment requires careful alignment with party leadership and internal structures.
Emerhor also pointed to the upcoming party primaries scheduled between April 23 and May 30, 2026, noting that the process may involve either direct or consensus arrangements in line with electoral guidelines.
He stressed the importance of aligning with party leadership at the state level, particularly the role of the governor in shaping internal party direction.
While I am aware of my capacity and readiness to serve, I must ensure that any decision aligns with party interests and broader political realities,” he said.
He assured supporters that a final decision would be communicated after consultations are concluded.
Political analysts say the development reflects early positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, as aspirants and political blocs intensify groundwork across Delta State.
Emerhor’s potential candidacy is seen as significant given his historical role in the formation of the APC in Delta and his continued influence within party structures.
Observers also note that internal competition within the APC in Delta Central is expected to be highly contested, with multiple aspirants already aligning support bases.
As pressure mounts from party loyalists and grassroots structures, O’tega Emerhor remains at the centre of a growing political conversation in Delta Central.
While supporters insist his leadership is needed at the Senate level, Emerhor’s cautious stance suggests that final decisions will depend on wider consultations and party consensus.
For now, Delta Central politics appears to be entering an early but intense phase of strategic alignment ahead of 2027.
