Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Age suffered a major upset Saturday, May 31, 2026, losing the New Democratic Congress, NDC, ticket for Delta Central Senatorial District to Olorogun Dr. Onome Bernice Dema, ex-President of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, North America.
Despite sweeping his traditional bases, Omo-Age could not withstand Dema’s landslide victories in Sapele and Okpe LGAs in the fiercely contested primary.
—Sapele + Okpe = Dema’s turning point—
Omo-Age won convincingly in Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Udu and Uvwie. He polled 1,024 votes in Ughelli North and 1,160 in Ughelli South against Dema’s 1,146. He also led in Udu 900-250 and Uvwie 400-200.
But the momentum shifted in Sapele and Okpe.
In Sapele, Dema crushed Omo-Age 1,352 votes to 4 votes. She repeated it in Okpe with 1,650 votes to his 5 votes. The massive margins neutralized Omo-Age’s advantage elsewhere.
Ethiope West was tight: Omo-Age 360, Dema 340. Results from Ethiope East were cancelled and excluded from the final tally.
—Final tally—
When votes were collated, Dema amassed 4,973 votes to clinch the NDC Delta Central ticket. Omo-Age finished second with 3,853 votes. Akpodiete got 92 votes while Ineneji polled 31 votes.
Political observers said Dema’s dominance in Sapele and Okpe overturned Omo-Age’s stronghold wins and delivered a surprise but convincing victory.
With the primary concluded, Dema will now fly the NDC flag in the upcoming Delta Central senatorial election. Attention shifts to how Omo-Age and his supporters respond to the unexpected defeat.
