The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has approved waivers for former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, to contest the Delta Central and Delta North Senatorial seats respectively under the platform of the party in the 2027 general elections.

A statement signed by Osa Director Esq., the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said this decision follows the formal defection of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC to the National Democratic Congress, NDC.

The NDC said it warmly welcomes both political leaders into the party and assures them of a credible, inclusive, and people-oriented platform to advance their political aspirations and contribute meaningfully to the development of Delta State and Nigeria at large.

The leadership of the party noted that the decision to grant the waivers was taken in recognition of their political experience, leadership capacity, and commitment to democratic ideals, good governance, and service to the people.

The party leadership is confident that both leaders possess the competence, experience, and grassroots support necessary to deliver quality representation to the people of Delta Central and Delta North Senatorial Districts.

The party remains committed to internal democracy, inclusion, transparency, and the collective aspiration of building a better Delta State and a greater Nigeria.

The Screening and Selection Committees of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has reacted to the reports that some aspirants are allegedly being prevented from participating in the ongoing party primaries across the country.

In a statement signed by Osa Director Esq., the National Publicity Secretary, NDC, the party said categorically that all aspirants who successfully completed the screening process have been duly cleared and are therefore eligible to participate in the primaries.

“Consequently, any action by any state chapter or party official aimed at preventing a duly cleared aspirant from participating in the exercise is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever,” the statement said

“No aspirant should be denied the opportunity to participate in the primaries in any part of the country.”

The NDC said it remains a progressive and people-oriented political party firmly committed to the principles of accountability, transparency, fairness, and inclusivity.

It added, “It is therefore unacceptable for any arm of the party’s administrative structure to act contrary to these core values and guiding principles.”

The party said that members and officials at all levels are directed to ensure that the primaries are conducted peacefully, transparently, and strictly in accordance with the constitution, guidelines, and regulations of the party.

It said, “The primaries for the presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly elections will hold nationwide on May 29, 2026.

“Aspirants are further advised to note that, aside from the State Assembly primaries, which will hold within the respective constituency areas, all other primaries shall take place at the local government level as earlier communicated by the party.”

Former lawmaker, Usman Bugaje, has said a recent court judgment by Justice M.G. Umar has set limits on the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, accusing the electoral body of overreaching its constitutional role.

Speaking on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Bugaje described the ruling as a declaratory judgment aimed at clarifying the boundaries of INEC’s authority in regulating elections.

According to him, Section 29 of the Electoral Act clearly outlines INEC’s responsibilities while allowing political parties adequate time to prepare for elections.

He said the judgment was intended to caution the commission against interfering in the internal affairs of political parties beyond what is provided by law.

Bugaje alleged that INEC had recently acted in ways that suggested it was moving beyond its role as a regulator to becoming a stakeholder in the political process.

He further claimed that some opposition parties had been affected by the commission’s actions.

The former lawmaker said the court ruling also addressed the timeline earlier issued by INEC, noting that the 120-day period given by the commission would now extend to September to enable political parties properly conduct their activities within the law.

He said: “The judgment by Justice Umar is a declaratory judgment basically explaining to INEC that it is going beyond the powers that it has been given.

“Section 29 has clearly demarcated the powers that INEC has in regulating elections and to allow the political parties to properly prepare for the election.

“So what the judgment has done is basically to set limits for INEC because INEC has been overreaching and overstepping the bounds that the electoral law has given it. They’ve been interfering in ways that we have not seen before.

“We can see that clearly with some of the opposition parties. So I think the judgment of Justice Umar was basically trying to lead INEC to play its role properly because what it did earlier on was clearly designed to muscle the opposition. It went beyond what the law has provided, trying to move from regulator to stakeholder.

“When you appeal for a declaratory judgment, you’re basically trying to step beyond the bounds of a regulator into a stakeholder. What the judgment basically did was to say no, this 120 days that INEC gave will go up to September to allow the parties to do their work properly so that they can work within the law.”