“Orogun Was Already Approved Before Your Bill!” — Omo-Agege Camp Demands Evidence As Waive’s FMC Ovwian Claim Sparks Political Firestorm
By Passman Akpos
The political battle ahead of the 2027 Delta Central Senatorial election has taken a fresh turn after Senator Ovie Omo-Agege’s camp accused the member representing Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency, Rev. Francis Waive, of making a false claim over the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ovwian Bill.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Monday, September 21, 2026, by Godwin Anaughe, Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
Anaughe was reacting to a claim allegedly made by Waive during a campaign appearance in Udu, where, according to Omo-Agege’s camp, the federal lawmaker accused Omo-Agege of calling him during the Ninth National Assembly and asking him to abandon the FMC Ovwian Bill to pave the way for the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun.
Omo-Agege’s camp described the allegation as a “reckless lie” and accused Waive of attempting to damage the former Delta Central senator’s political reputation ahead of the 2027 election.
Omo-Agege Camp Points To Legislative Timeline
According to Anaughe, the documentary record provides a different chronology from the one allegedly presented by Waive.
He said presidential approval for the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, had already been confirmed to Omo-Agege on February 23, 2021.
By comparison, Anaughe said Waive’s Federal Medical Centre, Ovwian Bill, identified as HB. 989, did not receive its Second Reading in the House of Representatives until November 16, 2021.
He further stated that the FMC Ovwian Bill subsequently proceeded to Third Reading on September 29, 2022.
The statement therefore argues that the approval for the Orogun Polytechnic predated the Second Reading of Waive’s bill by almost nine months and preceded its Third Reading by about 19 months.
“Put simply, Orogun had been approved a full nineteen months before Waive’s bill reached Third Reading,” Anaughe said, questioning why Omo-Agege would allegedly pressure Waive to withdraw a bill when the Orogun project had already received presidential approval.
Omo-Agege Camp Cites Other Federal Institutions
The statement also sought to challenge the allegation by pointing to what it described as Omo-Agege’s legislative record of supporting federal institutions sponsored by lawmakers from different political backgrounds.
Anaughe cited the Senate’s approval of the Federal University of Education, Isiokolo, which he said was sponsored by Hon. Ben Ibakpa, an opposition member.
He also cited Omo-Agege’s co-sponsorship of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Aboh (Establishment) Bill, 2021, SB. 733, which the statement said was introduced by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi.
According to Anaughe, those examples contradict the portrayal of Omo-Agege as someone who would secretly seek to frustrate a federal institution proposed by another lawmaker.
‘Give Us The Date, Venue And Witnesses’
Omo-Agege’s camp challenged Waive to provide evidence supporting the alleged conversation or meeting.
“If Waive has evidence, let him produce it: give us the date, the venue, the witnesses. Show us the document,” Anaughe said.
He maintained that Omo-Agege had never asked Waive to abandon the FMC Ovwian Bill and insisted that the documentary timeline did not support the allegation.
Political Fallout
The dispute comes as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 elections in Delta State, with Omo-Agege and other political actors positioning themselves for major contests.
Omo-Agege’s camp also accused Waive of attempting to blame others for what it described as his own political shortcomings, while alleging that Omo-Agege’s political structure and support contributed significantly to Waive’s emergence as a federal lawmaker.
The statement further criticised Waive for making the allegation despite his status as a Reverend, invoking biblical passages concerning false testimony and dishonesty.
Anaughe described the alleged accusation as a betrayal of Omo-Agege by a former political ally.
However, the claims about the alleged political relationship, backing and the circumstances surrounding Waive’s elections are assertions made by Omo-Agege’s representative and are presented here as such.
The Central Question
At the heart of the dispute is the chronology of the two federal projects.
Omo-Agege’s camp says the presidential approval for the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, was confirmed in February 2021, while Waive’s FMC Ovwian Bill only reached Second Reading in November of that year and Third Reading in September 2022.
The camp argues that this sequence contradicts the claim that Omo-Agege sought to stop the FMC Ovwian Bill in order to make way for Orogun Polytechnic.
Waive has been challenged to provide documentary or other evidence for his account of the alleged conversation.
For now, the controversy leaves a key question at the centre of the political dispute: what exactly happened between the two lawmakers over the FMC Ovwian Bill, and what evidence exists to support either version of events?
