2027: 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: 𝗛.𝗘 𝗔𝗴𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗮 𝗔𝗷𝗮𝘆𝗶, 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱 𝗢𝗷𝗼𝗴𝗼, 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘂𝗿𝘂 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗔𝗣𝗖 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚.

A new phase in the build-up to the 2027 general elections is unfolding within the All Progressives Congress (APC), as prominent political figures across Ondo and Delta States formally declare their ambitions by obtaining expression of interest and nomination forms.

In separate but politically significant developments, Agboola Ajayi, Donald Ojogo, and Promise Lawuru have stepped forward, setting the stage for competitive primaries within their respective constituencies.

For Ajayi, the move represents both a political recalibration and a continuation of a long, complex career trajectory. A former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, he served between 2017 and 2021 under the late Rotimi Akeredolu. His political résumé is extensive. Before becoming deputy governor, Ajayi served as a member of the House of Representatives representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, where he chaired the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), positioning himself as a vocal advocate for oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta.

Ajayi’s political journey has also been marked by high-profile party switches. After leaving the APC in 2020 for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he contested the Ondo governorship election that year and later emerged as the party’s candidate again in 2024. His return to the APC in 2026 signaled a strategic realignment ahead of the next electoral cycle. By picking the APC nomination form for the Ondo South Senatorial seat, Ajayi is effectively repositioning himself within legislative politics, banking on his grassroots influence across riverine communities.

Meanwhile, Ojogo’s entry into the race reflects a transition from executive communications and state-level governance into federal legislative consolidation. Ojogo currently represents Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives under the APC.

Prior to his election to the National Assembly in 2023, he served as Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Ondo State under the Akeredolu administration, where he functioned as a key government spokesperson, managing public communication and media strategy during critical periods. His earlier political engagements were rooted in grassroots mobilization and party organization within the APC in Ondo’s coastal axis. His emergence as a federal lawmaker further strengthened his profile as a representative of oil-bearing communities, with focus areas including resource control advocacy, environmental concerns, and constituency development.

Ojogo’s decision to obtain the APC nomination forms signals either a re-election bid or a possible step toward a higher legislative office, depending on party zoning arrangements. His incumbency, combined with executive experience as a former commissioner, positions him as a continuity candidate with both administrative and legislative credentials, appealing to voters who prioritize stability and institutional experience.

In Delta State, Promise Lawuru’s emergence introduces a relatively new but locally active political figure into the APC contest for Warri Federal Constituency. Unlike Ajayi and Ojogo, Lawuru is widely regarded as a first-time aspirant for federal legislative office. His political footprint has largely been within party mobilization structures and grassroots engagement in Warri and surrounding communities, where he has been associated with youth-driven initiatives and local political organizing.

Observers within the APC describe Lawuru as part of a younger bloc of stakeholders seeking to reposition the party in Delta State, a region historically influenced by the PDP. His candidacy reflects a broader internal strategy aimed at expanding the APC’s electoral base through fresh entrants capable of mobilizing new demographics. As a first-time contender, his prospects will likely depend on coalition-building across Warri’s ethnically diverse population and his ability to consolidate party support in a competitive environment.

The simultaneous emergence of these aspirants underscores an intensifying internal contest within the APC ahead of 2027. In Ondo State, the dynamic is particularly layered, with Ajayi’s return introducing a familiar but polarizing figure, while Ojogo represents institutional continuity within the party. The overlap in their political bases, especially in Ilaje/Ese-Odo and the wider Ondo South Senatorial District, raises the likelihood of a competitive and potentially contentious primary process.

In Delta State, Lawuru’s candidacy highlights the APC’s broader expansion strategy in politically strategic constituencies such as Warri, where economic relevance and demographic diversity make electoral contests highly consequential. His entry signals an attempt by the party to inject new energy into its local structure while challenging established opposition dominance.

As the race toward 2027 gathers momentum, the procurement of nomination forms by Ajayi, Ojogo, and Lawuru goes beyond routine political procedure. It reflects early maneuvering, shifting loyalties, and the reconfiguration of political influence within the APC. With party primaries on the horizon, the coming months are expected to test not only the electoral viability of these aspirants but also the party’s ability to manage internal competition while maintaining cohesion across key states.