Senator Ede Dafinone, the incumbent representative for Delta Central Senatorial District, has been confirmed as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 general election. This affirmation follows his decisive victory over Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, former Deputy President of the Senate, in the party’s senatorial primaries conducted on Monday. The primaries utilized the direct primary system under Option A4, with party members casting their votes across all wards within the eight local government areas constituting the senatorial district. The exercise was characterized by extensive participation and was widely lauded for its credibility, peaceful conduct, and transparency.

Barr. Nusa Amagbor, Secretary of the APC National Assembly Primary Committee, officially declared the results, stating that Senator Dafinone secured a commanding 116,252 votes, significantly surpassing Senator Omo-Agege, who polled 3,643 votes. Amagbor emphasized the peaceful conduct of the proceedings and the cooperation of party stakeholders in Delta Central. He further clarified that the direct primary method, consistently employed for all party elections in Delta State, had been duly concluded. "Based on the authenticated results before me; Senator Ede Dafinone scored a total of 116,252 votes, his opponent scored a total of 3,643 votes," Amagbor announced. He concluded by declaring Senator Ede Dafinone as the winner, having met all party requirements and secured the highest number of valid votes.

The Collation Officer, Hon. Benjamin Okiemute, alongside Barr. Nusa Amagbor and Abimbola Samuel, a committee member, detailed the results from each Local Government Area. They confirmed that the process rigorously adhered to party guidelines and that Dafinone garnered the majority of votes cast by party members across the wards. A detailed breakdown of the results per LGA revealed Dafinone's strong performance: in Ughelli North, he received 22,329 votes against Omo-Agege’s 1,873. In Ethiope West, where 10,326 members voted across 11 wards, Dafinone secured 7,646 votes compared to Omo-Agege’s 317. Sapele saw 10,460 votes for Dafinone and 117 for Omo-Agege. In Uvwie, Dafinone polled 20,369 votes against Omo-Agege’s 377. Udu recorded 11,211 votes for Dafinone and 237 for his opponent. Ughelli South delivered 12,216 votes for Dafinone and 227 for Omo-Agege. In Okpe Local Government Area, Dafinone garnered 18,050 votes out of 18,244 total votes, with Omo-Agege scoring 97. Similarly, in Ethiope East, with 15,447 registered members, Dafinone polled 13,971 votes while Omo-Agege received 398 votes. Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present to monitor the entire exercise.

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who had previously represented Delta Central for two terms and served as Deputy President of the Senate, had in 2023 contested the Delta State governorship election, which he lost to Governor Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori. Following the primary outcome, O’tega Emerhor, a founding leader of the APC in Delta State, commended the election's peaceful and non-acrimonious conduct at Evwreni Ward. Similarly, Mr. Samuel Marierie praised the orderly process and the maturity exhibited by party members, noting that the transparent exercise reinforced internal democracy within the Delta Central APC.

In his reaction to the victory, Senator Ede Dafinone expressed his gratitude for the confidence reposed in him by the people of Delta Central and commended the primary process. He described the election as transparent, open, free, and fair. Dafinone extended his thanks to all his supporters within the party for their role in achieving this victory. He also used the opportunity to call upon Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to collaborate with other party members to secure overall victory in 2027 across all contested positions. The primary election results were officially collated by Hon. Dr. Okiemute E. Benjamin and announced by Barr. Nusa Amagbor, with support from Abimbola Samuel Dart.