2027: Joel-Onowakpo Thanks Tinubu, Oborevwori, Constituents After Defeating Diden by Wide Margin to Clinch Delta South APC Ticket

Senator Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, has clinched the Delta South senatorial district ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after defeating his only challenger, Hon. Michael Diden, by a wide margin.

Joel-Onowakpo was declared winner of the senatorial primary election for the 2027 general elections by chairman of the APC Senatorial Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer.

Announcing the results at the APC collation centre in Oleh on Monday night, the chairman of the election panel declared that Senator Joel-Onowakpo polled 87,805 votes to defeat Diden, who secured 30,798 votes.

The incumbent senator reportedly led in seven out of the eight local government areas declared during the exercise, while Diden won in his home local government area of Warri North.

Speaking shortly after being declared winner, Senator Joel-Onowakpo expressed gratitude to God and appreciated key leaders of the party for supporting his re-election bid.

He specifically thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, for their support and leadership throughout the primary process.

The senator also commended party leaders, local government chairmen, security agencies, and APC stakeholders across the eight local government areas in Delta South for what he described as their commitment to a peaceful and credible primary election.

According to him, the overwhelming victory was a clear demonstration of the confidence the people of Delta South have in his representation at the National Assembly.

“The way the people voted shows they have a lot of confidence in me, and I want to assure them that I will continue to provide quality representation,” he said.

Joel-Onowakpo added that he would be returning to the Senate not as a first-time legislator but as a ranking senator prepared to attract greater benefits and stronger representation for the people of Delta South Senatorial District.

He further called on party members and supporters to remain united ahead of the 2027 general elections, expressing optimism that the APC would record another massive victory at the polls.