2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Delta State

2019 Nigerian Senate elections in Delta State

←  2019 25 February 2023 2027 →
All 3 Delta State seats in the Senate of Nigeria
Majority party Minority party   Party APC PDP Last election 1 2 Seats before 2 1
APC incumbent retiring      APC incumbent running for re-election      PDP incumbent retiring

The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Delta State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the 3 federal Senators from Delta State, one from each of the state's three senatorial districts. The elections will coincide with the 2023 presidential election, as well as other elections to the Senate and elections to the House of Representatives; with state elections being held two weeks later. Primaries were held between 4 April and 9 June 2022.

Background

In terms of the previous Senate elections, all three incumbent senators were re-elected: in the Central district, Ovie Omo-Agege (LP-turned-APC) held his seat for the APC with 51% of the vote; on the other hand, the PDP's Peter Nwaoboshi and James Manager won with 82% in the North district and 66% in the South district, respectively. These results were a part of a continuation of the PDP's control of the state as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was re-elected with over 80% of the vote in the gubernatorial election and the party held its sizeable majority in the House of Assembly. However, the PDP did lose one House of Representatives seat to the APC and although the state was easily won by PDP presidential nominee Atiku Abubakar, it still swung towards Buhari compared to 2015 and had lower turnout.

At the start of the 2019–2023 term, Omo-Agege was elected Deputy President of the Senate. ^[1] By the middle of the term, Omo-Agege had filed 20 bills compared to Nwaoboshi's and Manager's two bills each. ^[2] However, Nwaoboshi was also high-profile due to his defection to the APC in June 2021 and his continued legal cases. ^[3] Three major corruption scandals struck Nwaoboshi with the federal government filing three counts of false asset declaration against him in June 2019, the Niger Delta Development Commission accusing him of using front companies to defraud the Commission out of ₦3.6 billion in June 2020, and his continued trial on ₦322 million fraud and money laundering; ^{[4] [5]} the fraud trial ended in July 2022 with a seven-year prison sentence for Nwaoboshi but he stated his intent to appeal and feigned illness in attempt to avoid the sentence. ^{[6] [7] [8] [9]}

Overview

Affiliation	Party		Total
	APC	PDP
Previous Election	1	2	3
Before Election	2	1	3
After Election	2	1	3

Summary

This section is an excerpt from 2023 Nigerian Senate election § Delta State.[ edit ]

     APC incumbent retiring
     APC incumbent running
     PDP incumbent retiring

District	Incumbent		Results
	Incumbent	Party	Status	Candidates
Delta Central	Ovie Omo-Agege	APC	Incumbent retired New member elected APC hold	▌Y Ede Dafinone (APC) [10] [11] ▌ Ighoyota Amori (PDP) [12] [11]
Delta North	Peter Nwaoboshi	APC [lower-alpha 1]	Incumbent lost re-election New member elected PDP gain	▌ Peter Nwaoboshi (APC) [10] [11] ▌Y Ned Nwoko (PDP) [13] [11]
Delta South	James Manager	PDP	Incumbent retired New member elected APC gain	▌Y Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (APC) [10] [11] ▌ Michael Diden (PDP) [14] [12] [11]

Delta Central

2023 Delta Central Senatorial District election

←  2019 25 February 2023 2027 →

Nominee Ede Dafinone Ighoyota Amori Party APC PDP

Senator before election Ovie Omo-Agege APC Elected Senator To be determined To be determined

The Delta Central Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Ethiope East, Ethiope West, Sapele, Okpe, Udu, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Uvwie. The incumbent Ovie Omo-Agege (APC) was re-elected with 51.3% of the vote in 2019. In April 2022, Omo-Agege announced that he would run for governor of Delta State, instead of seeking re-election. ^[15]

Primary elections

All Progressives Congress

On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May. ^[16] After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process. ^[17] Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May. ^{[18] [19] [20] [21]}

Prior to the primary, Omo-Agege endorsed Ede Dafinone as his anointed successor in an reported attempt to further his political network and become a godfather. The primary in Ughelli resulted in Dafinone—the Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group—emerging as the nominee unopposed. ^[22] Like other APC senatorial primary winners, Dafinone was unopposed reportedly due to an agreement between Omo-Agege, Nwaoboshi, and other state APC leaders. ^[22]

APC primary results ^[22]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	APC	Ede Dafinone	383	100.00%
Total votes			383	100.00%
Invalid or blank votes			4	N/A
Turnout			387	Unknown

People's Democratic Party

On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. ^[23] Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May; ^[24] challenges to the result could be made on 25 May. ^{[25] [26] [27] [28]}

Pre-primary analysis noted the primary as one of many proxy battles between former Governor James Ibori and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa with the former backing former Senator Ighoyota Amori and the latter supporting John Nani. ^[29] The primary resulted in Amori defeating runner-up Nani by 7% at the Sapele Stadium; the result was a rare win for Ibori's camp as its candidate lost the gubernatorial primary and other Okowa loyalists won other nominations. ^[30]

PDP primary results ^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	PDP	Ighoyota Amori	142	53.58%
	PDP	John Nani	123	46.42%
Total votes			265	100.00%

General election

Results

2023 Delta Central Senatorial District election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	A	Osheo Felix Evwierhurhoma
	AA	Giane Nelson Gwede
	ADP	Ogheneovo Evah
	APP	Oghenekevwe Ewhrudjakpor
	ADC	Maver Sylvester Avworo
	APC	Ede Dafinone
	APGA	Peters Omoruayigbe Omaruaye
	APM	Monday Nurhierume
	NRM	Ovie Julius Animam
	NNPP	Glory Rukevwe Anigboro
	PDP	Ighoyota Amori
	SDP	Oviemuno Ekpekpo
	YPP	Ogheneovo Edewor
	ZLP	MacPherson Obenobe
Total votes				100.00%
Invalid or blank votes				N/A
Turnout

Delta North

2023 Delta North Senatorial District election

←  2019 25 February 2023 2027 →

Nominee Peter Nwaoboshi Ned Nwoko Party APC PDP

Senator before election Peter Nwaoboshi APC Elected Senator To be determined To be determined

The Delta North Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili South, Oshimili North, and Ukwuani. The incumbent Peter Nwaoboshi (APC) was elected with 82.2% of the vote in 2019 as a member of the PDP; he defected to the APC in June 2021. Nwaoboshi is running for re-election.

Primary elections

All Progressives Congress

On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May. ^[16] After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process. ^[17] Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May. ^{[18] [19] [20] [21]}

The primary at the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Asaba resulted in Nwaoboshi emerging as the nominee unopposed. ^[22] Like other APC senatorial primary winners, Nwaoboshi was unopposed reportedly due to an agreement between Omo-Agege, Nwaoboshi, and other state APC leaders. ^[22]

People's Democratic Party

On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. ^[23] Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May; ^[31] challenges to the result could be made on 25 May. ^{[25] [26] [27] [32]}

In the months before the primary, some pundits expected outgoing Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to run for a return to the Senate; however, he declined to run and was later selected as the PDP vice presidential nominee. ^[29] Okowa chose to support Ned Nwoko for the PDP nomination. ^[29] The primary at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba resulted in Nwoko—a former MHR, businessman, and husband of Regina Daniels—emerging as the nominee over businessman Paul Osaji by a 57% margin. After collation completed, Nwoko claimed that his entrance into the Senate would positively impact the entire nation. ^[33]

PDP primary results ^[33]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	PDP	Ned Nwoko	242	78.32%
	PDP	Paul Osaji	67	21.68%
Total votes			309	100.00%

Campaign

After the start of the official campaign period in October, Nwoko went on the offensive by deriding Nwaoboshi's tenure as senator as useless along with daring Nwaoboshi to start open campaigning. ^[34] By late November, pundits and civil groups had also noted Nwaoboshi's absence from campaigning with rumors that it was connected to his avoidance of his prison term. ^[35] In early January 2023, the Supreme Court briefly granted Nwaoboshi bail while fast tracking the date of his appeal hearings. ^{[36] [37]} However, near the end of the month, the court revoked the bail based on the fact that Nwaoboshi had remained a fugitive since his sentencing. ^[38] On 6 February, Nwaoboshi was finally caught in Lagos by the EFCC and imprisoned at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre. ^[39]

General election

Results

2023 Delta North Senatorial District election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	A	Ijomah Federick Obi
	ADP	Chionye Hencs Odiaka
	APP	Gochi Ugo Apuamaga
	ADC	Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi
	APC	Peter Nwaoboshi
	APGA	Isaac Obodo
	APM	Clement Iselegwu
	LP	Kennedy Onochie Kanma
	NNPP	Marian Nneamaka Ogoh-Ali
	PRP	Chiazor Ahumibe
	PDP	Ned Nwoko
	SDP	Peter Nwafor
	ZLP	Emeka Nkwoala
Total votes				100.00%
Invalid or blank votes				N/A
Turnout

Delta South

2023 Delta South Senatorial District election

←  2019 25 February 2023 2027 →

Nominee Joel-Onowakpo Thomas Michael Diden Party APC PDP

Senator before election James Manager PDP Elected Senator To be determined To be determined

The Delta South Senatorial District covers the local government areas of Bomadi, Burutu, Isoko North, Isoko South, Patani, Warri North, Warri South, and Warri South West. The incumbent James Manager (PDP) was elected with 66.2% of the vote in 2019. In April 2022, Manager announced that he would run for governor of Delta State, instead of seeking re-election; ^[40] he lost the PDP gubernatorial primary. ^[41]

Primary elections

All Progressives Congress

On 20 April 2022, the APC National Executive Committee announced the party's schedule for senatorial primaries, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦3 million and nomination form price at ₦17 million with a 50% discount for candidates younger than 40 while women and candidates with disabilities get free nomination forms. Forms were to be sold from 26 April to 6 May until the deadline was later extended to 10 May then 12 May. ^[16] After the submission of nomination forms by 13 May, candidates were screened by a party committee on 14 and 15 May while 18 May was the date for the screening appeal process. ^[17] Ward congresses and LGA congresses were set for 16 and 17 May to elect delegates for the primary. Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 27 May, in concurrence with other APC senatorial primaries; challenges to the result could be made on 28 May. ^{[18] [19] [20] [21]}

The primary in Oleh resulted in Joel-Onowakpo Thomas—the former Chairman of Delta State Board of Internal Revenue—emerging as the nominee unopposed. ^[22] Like other APC senatorial primary winners, Thomas was unopposed reportedly due to an agreement between Omo-Agege, Nwaoboshi, and other state APC leaders. ^[22]

APC primary results ^[22]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	APC	Joel-Onowakpo Thomas	285	100.00%
Total votes			285	100.00%
Invalid or blank votes			75	N/A
Turnout			360	Unknown

People's Democratic Party

On 16 March 2022, the national PDP announced its senatorial primary timetable, setting its expression of interest form price at ₦1 million and the nomination form price at ₦20 million with a 50% discount for candidates between 25 and 30. Forms were to be sold until 1 April but the party later extended the deadline four times before reaching a final deadline of 22 April. After the submission of nomination forms by 25 April, candidates were screened by a party committee on 27 April while 2 May was the rescheduled date for the screening appeal process. Ward congresses were set for 29 April and LGA congresses were rescheduled for 10 May to elect delegates for the primary. ^[23] Candidates approved by the screening process advanced to a primary set for 23 May, in concurrence with other PDP senatorial primaries but due to often violently enforced Monday stay-at-home orders by separatists, southeastern state parties held their primaries on 24 May; ^[42] challenges to the result could be made on 25 May. ^{[25] [26] [27] [43]}

Former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was the APC nominee for the seat in 2019 and returned to the PDP in 2020, initially announced a new run for the seat but he withdrew and retired from politics in March 2022. ^[44] Both of the two remaining major candidates—former DESOPADEC Chairman Michael Diden and former MHR Daniel Reyenieju—solicited Uduaghan's endorsement before the primary. ^[29] On the primary date, Diden defeated Reyenieju by a 47% margin at the Warri Township Stadium. ^{[45] [30]} After the vote, Diden said the victory was a demonstration of the electorate's confidence in him. ^[30]

PDP primary results ^[45]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	PDP	Michael Diden	176	64.71%
	PDP	Daniel Reyenieju	48	17.65%
	PDP	Ayodele Othihiwa	46	16.91%
	PDP	Kent Omatsone	2	0.73%
Total votes			272	100.00%

General election

Results

2023 Delta South Senatorial District election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	APP	Peter Avinyeze
	ADC	Regina Oke Emevwereni
	APC	Joel-Onowakpo Thomas
	APGA	George Ugulasuowei Timinimi
	APM	Whiskey Arerosuoghene Ewubareh
	LP	Terence Ogagaoghene Obaoghe
	NRM	Toju Awiu Binitie
	NNPP	Omatseye O'weyimmi Nesiama
	PRP	Oyibo Waibode
	PDP	Michael Diden
	SDP	Princewill Oghenovo
	YPP	Franklin Miebi Garry
	ZLP	Lucky Akakasi
Total votes				100.00%
Invalid or blank votes				N/A
Turnout

See also

• 2023 Nigerian Senate election
• 2023 Nigerian elections

Notes

1. This senator was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC during their term.

References

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