The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Orhue I, CFR, mni, has offered royal prayers and blessings to Senator Ede Dafinone and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, while warning politicians and their supporters against electoral violence, intimidation and acts capable of disrupting communal peace.
The monarch gave the warning on Wednesday when Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, led a delegation of APC leaders and campaign officials on a courtesy visit to his palace to seek royal blessings ahead of the commencement of political campaigns.
Receiving the delegation, the Orodje reiterated his non-partisan position as a traditional ruler, stressing that the peace, unity and development of Okpe Kingdom remained his priority irrespective of political affiliations.
He cautioned politicians and their supporters against carrying weapons, intimidating opponents or engaging in activities capable of triggering violence, insisting that political competition must not be allowed to threaten the longstanding peaceful coexistence among the people.
The monarch urged the APC campaign team to intensify grassroots mobilisation across Sapele Local Government Area, noting that electoral victory could only be achieved through sustained engagement with voters and effective communication of candidates’ programmes.
He stressed that no election should be taken for granted, urging candidates to reach out to the electorate in every community rather than rely on political assumptions.
The Orodje subsequently offered prayers for Dafinone, the APC House of Assembly candidate for Sapele Constituency I, Hon. Chief Perkins Umukoro, Hon. Ejiro Jamani and other members of the campaign team, wishing them success in their political endeavours.
Earlier, Dafinone said the delegation considered it important to seek the monarch’s royal blessings before commencing its campaign activities, describing the Orodje as a revered father and custodian of the kingdom’s traditional institution.
“As sons of the kingdom, we are about to embark on our campaign, and we cannot proceed without your royal blessing. We seek your support in our quest to bring honour to both the kingdom and the nation,” the senator said.
He expressed confidence in the APC’s political structure in Sapele, describing members of the campaign team as experienced leaders with the capacity to mobilise support for the party’s candidates in the forthcoming elections.
On national issues, the senator commended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, arguing that the policies were beginning to yield positive results despite prevailing economic challenges and global uncertainties.
He maintained that the reforms had strengthened the financial capacity of state governments, providing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration with greater resources to execute development projects and implement programmes aimed at improving the welfare of residents.
Dafinone also expressed optimism about Oborevwori’s re-election prospects in 2027, citing what he described as the governor’s growing popularity and the developmental strides of his administration.
The delegation was led by former Sapele Local Government Chairman and Chairman of the Sapele APC Campaign Council, Chief Eugene Inoaghan.
Other members included Delta Central APC Chairman, Chief Paulinus Akpeki; Sapele Local Government Chairman, Hon. Chief Bright Abeke; Deputy Chairman of the Sapele Campaign Council, Hon. Austin Ayemidejor; and Sapele Campaign Coordinator, Chief Cyril Ogodo.
Also present were Chief Ramson Onoyake; Chief Julius Egbedi, DESOPADEC Commissioner; Hon. Churchill Ayomanor, Chairman of Sapele Okpe Community; Chief Austin Arieja; Chief Austin Opubor; Chief Patrick Akamovba; Chief Godwin Dadi; Hon. Chief Richard Okotie; Chief Kingsley Abeke; Chief Tom Anirah; and Chief Babuba Moses Abeke, among other prominent sons and daughters of Okpe Kingdom.
The visit forms part of the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the monarch’s admonition highlighting the need for peaceful political engagement, responsible campaigning and the protection of communal harmony throughout the electoral process.
