…Says Delta Central Must Learn From Past Political Mistakes
Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has warned that the Urhobo nation risks further political marginalisation if it continues to pursue opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dafinone, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for the 2027 senatorial election, said the Urhobo nation must learn from past political experiences and adopt a more strategic approach to political participation to secure greater access to appointments, infrastructure and development opportunities.
He spoke during the inauguration of local government and ward coordinators of the Ede Dafinone Admirers Movement, EDAM, at his residence in Sapele, Delta State, over the weekend.
The senator argued that years of opposition politics had weakened the influence of the Urhobo political class under successive administrations, limiting its access to political opportunities and government resources.
He particularly cited the 16 years of former governors Emmanuel Uduaghan and Ifeanyi Okowa, arguing that the Urhobo nation had not sufficiently maximised its political position during the periods.
According to him, the situation was further compounded when sections of the Urhobo political class opposed the emergence of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, thereby weakening the ethnic nationality’s standing within the state’s political establishment.
Dafinone cautioned that the Urhobo nation must not repeat what he described as past political mistakes in 2027, stressing that Delta Central’s collective interests should take precedence over the personal ambitions of individuals determined to remain in opposition.
He said the political fortunes of the senatorial district should not be tied to the interests of any single politician, particularly where such decisions could undermine the district’s access to government appointments, infrastructure and other developmental opportunities.
The senator further warned that continued opposition politics could have far-reaching implications for the Urhobo nation ahead of 2031, when the governorship is expected to return to Delta South under the state’s informal power-rotation arrangement.
He maintained that political leaders naturally give greater consideration to those who supported their emergence, urging Urhobo leaders and stakeholders to prioritise political unity and collective interests ahead of the 2027 elections.
Dafinone also argued that Delta Central must position itself strategically within the state’s political structure to strengthen its influence and improve its chances of benefiting from government programmes and opportunities.
The inauguration of EDAM coordinators across Delta Central’s eight local government areas and 85 wards was aimed at strengthening the movement’s grassroots structure and mobilising support for all APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The local government and ward coordinators were inaugurated and charged to intensify grassroots mobilisation and expand the movement’s reach across the senatorial district.
Tracing the movement’s origin to 2022, Dafinone commended his supporters, particularly Sam Dafinone, whom he identified as the founder, for initiating the social media campaign that eventually developed into EDAM ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“My brother, Sam, the founder of this movement, started a campaign on social media. He kept saying, ‘A day is coming. A day is coming,'” the senator recalled.
Explaining his approach to representation, Dafinone said his private-sector background had shaped his commitment to making public service accessible and creating opportunities for constituents.
“I genuinely believe that my assignment is to work for the people. If I say I am working for my people, they must be able to reach me,” he said, adding that he was committed to ensuring that nobody seeking his assistance was turned away.
He identified human capital development as the central focus of his representation, listing employment, scholarships, contracts and promotions among the opportunities his office facilitates for constituents.
The senator said his position as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character had provided an additional platform to assist qualified constituents seeking opportunities in government institutions and other organisations.
“My office provides recommendations for employment, scholarships and contracts. The objective is to create a level playing field,” he said.
On constituency projects, Dafinone disclosed that he had facilitated projects in 83 of the 85 wards in Delta Central, expressing optimism that the remaining two wards would benefit before the conclusion of the implementation of the last budget.
Among the projects he highlighted were a train station at Egbore in Ughelli South Local Government Area and a 50-bed hostel at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun.
He also listed skills acquisition programmes in agriculture, fishing, scaffolding and rigging as part of efforts to empower constituents and improve their economic prospects.
Earlier, the National Chairman of EDAM, Sam Dafinone, represented by the movement’s Delta Central Chairman, Billy Egbe, said the organisation was established to communicate the senator’s professional background, accomplishments and leadership qualities ahead of the 2023 elections.
Egbe recalled the contributions of the late Sam Omoko and Barrister Emmanuel to the development of the movement, explaining that EDAM had evolved from an initial mobilisation platform into a broader political organisation.
He said the inauguration of coordinators across the eight local government areas and 85 wards would strengthen the movement’s organisational structure, deepen grassroots engagement and enhance its mobilisation capacity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
