Omo-Agege denies directing Dafinone to vote towards Akpabio in 2023 Senate election

Omo-Agege described the allegation as a “cheap and mischievous fabrication,” insisting that he supported Akpabio’s emergence as Senate President in accordance with the place of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a press release dated November 10, 2026, and signed by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, Omo-Agege stated the allegation had endured for too lengthy and not using a response from his workplace.

Omo-Agege stated he participated within the assembly and subsequently met Dafinone and Senator Joel Onowakpo-Thomas at his Asokoro residence, the place he communicated the occasion’s choice.

He claimed each senators agreed to assist the APC’s place.

However, the assertion alleged that Dafinone later attended conferences organised by supporters of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, who additionally contested the Senate presidency.

Omo-Agege additional claimed that Vice-President Kashim Shettima intervened after stories emerged that the 2 Delta senators weren’t supporting Akpabio’s candidacy.

He stated subsequent conferences involving the senators, former Delta APC chairman Elder Omeni Sobotie and former marketing campaign director-general Godsday Orubebe have been held on the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

The assertion additionally disclosed that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma later met with the 2 senators, who allegedly renewed their dedication to vote for Akpabio.

Omo-Agege stated he obtained a textual content message from Onowakpo-Thomas after the election indicating that the occasion’s directions had been adopted.

“Instructions carried out, Akpabio has won,” the message reportedly learn.

He stated he initially defended the 2 senators when allegations emerged that that they had voted towards Akpabio, including that he solely confronted Dafinone after proof allegedly confirmed in any other case.

According to the assertion, Dafinone admitted voting for Yari throughout a subsequent confrontation.

“I voted for Yari. On principle, I could not bring myself to vote for Akpabio,” Dafinone reportedly advised him.

Omo-Agege maintained that the choice was Dafinone’s private selection and never the results of any instruction from him.

“Omo-Agege did not compel and could never have compelled Dafinone to vote against a party position that he witnessed unopposed,” the assertion stated.

It added that Omo-Agege later met Akpabio to clarify what occurred, accompanied by engineer Tuoyo Omatstuli, who allegedly corroborated his account of the conferences previous the election.

The former Deputy Senate President additionally stated he had since moved on politically and shouldn’t be dragged into disputes involving members of his former occasion.

He challenged Dafinone to publicly deal with the allegations and clarify his reported choice to vote for Yari.

“If any of this is a lie, let Dafinone come out himself and say so,” the assertion added.

It additional challenged the Delta senator to state publicly that he voted for Yari as a result of Omo-Agege instructed him to take action.