NIGERIA — Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, commended President Bola Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, following the conclusion of the All Progressives Congress senatorial primaries in Delta State.
Keyamo released a statement on his X handle to congratulate the party candidates and praise the conduct of the voting process across the state.
Okay News reports that Keyamo confirmed the victories of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in Delta North, Senator Ede Dafinone in Delta Central, and Senator Joel-Onowapo Thomas in Delta South.
“I wish to profoundly congratulate Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta North), Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central and Senator Joel-Onowapo Thomas (Delta South) for their resounding victories,” he said. “Their victories were fully deserved.”
The Minister stated that the primaries, which took place on Monday, May 18, 2026, featured a high turnout of party members at the Ward level. “Yesterday’s primaries saw a large turnout of the truly organic voters and members of the APC in Delta State voting at various Ward levels in an exercise that was largely free and fair,” Keyamo said.
He described the exercise as the most credible internal election held by the party in the state since its formation. “I can state unequivocally that this is the best primaries organised by the Party in the State since its inception,” he added.
Keyamo urged unsuccessful candidates to support the winners and called for reconciliation within the organization. “I also wish to commend our amiable leader, the Governor of Delta State; the one and only Elder Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, for providing purposeful leadership,” he said.
The Minister attributed the conduct of the process to the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in promoting internal democracy. “The greatest thanks go to the overall Leader of the Party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting internal democracy and allowing a free and fair process nationwide,” Keyamo said. He added that attempts to bypass grassroots structures were rejected by party members.
