Kogoro: APC Defection Can’t Shake NDC as Over 1,000 APC Members Set to Join Party, Omo-Agege to Lead NDC’s Charge in Sapele

The 2027 political contest in Sapele Constituency I of Delta State has assumed a fresh dimension as the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Melvin Akpomiemie Kogoro, has dismissed recent claims of mass defection from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing them as a mere distraction ahead of what he said would be a major movement of APC members into the NDC.

Kogoro, founder of the Youth O’ Clock Movement Worldwide and NDC candidate for Sapele Constituency I in the 2027 Delta State House of Assembly election, spoke against the backdrop of reports of the defection of some persons said to be members of the NDC in Sapele Local Government Area to the APC.

He said the reported movement could not diminish the strength of the NDC in Sapele, insisting that the party remained firmly rooted in the grassroots and was gaining momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, the development would not distract the NDC from its ongoing mobilisation, particularly as the party prepares to receive its Delta Central senatorial candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, in Sapele on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

Kogoro said Omo-Agege, who served as Deputy Senate President during the Ninth Senate, would be visiting Sapele to receive a large number of persons defecting from the APC to the NDC.

He disclosed that the expected movement involved more than 1,000 APC members, arguing that the development was a more significant indication of the political direction in Sapele than the smaller number of persons recently reported to have moved from the NDC to the APC.

He said the senator’s visit would therefore provide an opportunity for the NDC to formally receive the new members and demonstrate the growing acceptance of the party among residents of the constituency.

Kogoro also challenged an impression created by reports concerning the alleged defection of the NDC Ward 3 Chairman in Sapele Local Government Area, saying the person identified as Elijah Akpore was never the recognised chairman of the party in the ward.

He identified Bakpor Lion as the authentic NDC Chairman of Ward 3 in Sapele Local Government Area.

“I was shocked when I saw the video where Elijah Akpore was presented as the chairman of NDC Ward 3. He is not the chairman of Ward 3,” Kogoro said, stressing that Bakpor Lion remained the recognised chairman of the ward.

He explained that Akpore had worked with the party and was among those the NDC had been encouraging and grooming as a follower, but insisted that such involvement did not make him the substantive ward chairman.

Kogoro therefore urged Akpore to desist from what he described as misleading representations concerning his position within the party.

He similarly played down the political significance of the reported movement involving Matthew Samson, popularly known as Young Ebeles, describing him as only one individual among the numerous supporters of the NDC in Sapele.

According to Kogoro, the movement of one individual could not undermine the strength of the party or derail the activities of the youths who, he said, remained committed to the NDC.

The controversy followed a reported defection event held on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at Oleh Road by Awolowo Junction during the inauguration of APC Ward 3 unit executives.

Reports from the event identified Elijah Akpore and followers of Matthew Samson, also known as Young Ebeles, among those who moved to the APC. APC leaders present at the event, including Sapele APC Chairman Hon. Francis Okpigben, welcomed the new members and described their decision as a boost to the party’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, Kogoro said the development should not be interpreted as evidence that the NDC had lost its influence in Sapele.

He argued that the political strength of a party should ultimately be determined by the people and demonstrated through votes at the polls.

Turning his attention to the APC’s prospects in Sapele Constituency I, Kogoro expressed confidence that the party would struggle to make a significant impact without external political support.

He argued that if the APC candidate were to contest the election solely on personal popularity and without the intervention or backing of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the candidate and others in the race would not be able to garner up to 500 votes across Sapele.

Kogoro said the assertion was not borne out of arrogance but from his assessment of the political realities on the ground and the level of support he claimed the NDC had built among residents.

He also referred to the recent political developments in Osun State to buttress his argument for allowing candidates to test their popularity through a free and fair electoral process.

According to him, where political actors are allowed to contest without undue interference and the people are given the opportunity to freely exercise their franchise, the outcome would reflect the genuine wishes of the electorate.

He said the same principle should apply in Delta State, insisting that the 2027 election should be about the people and their right to determine who represents them.

Kogoro maintained that he was confident of victory because, according to him, the people of Sapele had continued to demonstrate support for his aspiration.

He spoke while addressing a large gathering of youths and other supporters who visited his residence to express solidarity with his candidacy.

Pointing to the crowd, he said the presence of the youths was evidence that the recent political developments had not weakened their commitment to the NDC.

He said the gathering represented a broader coalition of youths, women, elders and other residents who were demanding effective representation and a new direction for the constituency.

“The youths are ready, the women are ready, the old men are ready and the elders are ready,” he said, adding that the people were looking for a representative who would effectively speak for them and defend their interests.

Kogoro urged his supporters not to be distracted by what he described as attempts to create the impression of division within the NDC.

He said the party would remain focused on grassroots mobilisation and preparations for the 2027 election, while welcoming new members who, he said, were increasingly identifying with its political platform.

The NDC candidate maintained that the planned visit of Senator Omo-Agege to Sapele on Thursday would further demonstrate the strength of the party, particularly with the expected reception of over 1,000 persons said to be moving from the APC into the NDC.

He said the development would serve as a clear indication that political movements should not be judged merely by isolated defections but by the overall direction of the electorate.

Kogoro concluded by calling on his supporters to remain steadfast, assuring them that the NDC was prepared for the political battle ahead.

He expressed confidence that, when the people are given the opportunity to freely cast their votes and the votes are allowed to count, the electorate in Sapele Constituency I would choose the candidate and political platform they genuinely believed could represent their interests.

With the 2027 election drawing increasing political attention, Kogoro’s remarks have added another layer to the emerging contest in Sapele, where rival parties are intensifying grassroots mobilisation and seeking to consolidate their support ahead of the polls.

Photo: Hon Melvin Akpomiemie Kogoro, founder of the Youth O Clock Movement Worldwide and NDC candidate for Sapele Constituency I in Delta State House of Assembly.