By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, has thrown his weight behind Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election, while maintaining his support for the major economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Omo-Agege made the declaration during an appearance on ARISE Television’s The Morning Show on Wednesday, where he addressed questions surrounding his recent resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his subsequent endorsement of Obi.
The former senator, who represented Delta Central Senatorial District, explained that his support for Obi does not amount to a rejection of the economic policies implemented by the Tinubu administration. Rather, he argued that those reforms remain necessary for Nigeria’s long-term economic stability.
Responding to criticism over his decision to back Obi despite previously defending President Tinubu’s economic agenda, Omo-Agege insisted that his position on the reforms has remained consistent.
“I was a member of the APC. I never left the APC; the party left me and left my over 230,000 supporters in Delta State,” he said.
According to him, some of the most significant decisions taken by the current administration—particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira—were difficult but essential measures aimed at addressing longstanding structural challenges in the nation’s economy.
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“When Mr President came up with the economic policies, most especially the naira floatation and subsidy removal, these are policies I supported and continue to support,” Omo-Agege stated.
The former deputy senate president noted that support for such reforms should not be viewed as the exclusive preserve of the APC, stressing that Peter Obi had also publicly advocated similar economic policies during the 2023 presidential campaign.
“Even though these policies were espoused by Mr President, which I support, the same policies were also supported by Peter Obi,” he said.
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Omo-Agege explained that his endorsement of the Labour Party candidate is rooted in his belief that Obi possesses the credibility and public trust needed to implement the reforms more effectively and carry Nigerians along in the process.
“The question is, have I changed my opinion about this? No, I have not,” he added.
“I just believe that under the new platform I’ve gone to, these policies will continue and the people, the majority of Nigerians who have issues with those policies, would feel more confident because they are more comfortable and trust Peter Obi that he will make these policies work more than Mr President could have done.”
His remarks come amid growing political realignments and early positioning by major political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections. The comments also highlight the continuing debate over the impact of Tinubu’s economic reforms, which supporters argue are necessary for long-term growth, while critics contend that they have worsened the cost-of-living crisis facing many Nigerians.
Political observers believe Omo-Agege’s endorsement of Obi could further reshape political calculations in Delta State and the South-South region, particularly as parties and influential politicians begin to build alliances ahead of the next presidential contest.
