By Emmanuel Ogoigbe,Warri
Senator representing Delta Central District, Ede Dafinone, has warned the Urhobo nation to play its politics strategically or risk further political marginalization if it continues its over two decades-long opposition stance in Delta State.
To him, if the Urhobo fail to take a more progressive path in 2027, the marginalization will continue.
Dafinone, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for the 2027 elections, stated these during the inauguration of the Ede Dafinone Admirers Movement (EDAM) local government and ward coordinators on Thursday in Sapele in the state.
He argued that years of political opposition had denied the Urhobo political class access to opportunities, resources and overall development, pointing out this was happening even as politicians aligned with successive ruling administrations enjoyed greater influence.
Dafinone lamented that the Urhobo nation had consistently taken the backseat in the distribution of political opportunities under successive administrations, particularly during the 16 years of the now-late former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Ifeanyi Okowa.
He maintained that the situation continued during the emergence and early administration of present Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, when, he noted, a significant section of the Urhobo political class opposed his governorship ambition, further weakening the major ethnic nationality’s position within the state’s political establishment.
Senator Dafinone added that Delta North and South Districts boast of producing Gov. Oborevwori, stressing that such mistake should not be repeated in 2027.
The senator cautioned against sacrificing the collective political interests of the Urhobo nation to satisfy the personal ambition of any individual determined to remain in opposition.
According to him, the political fortunes of Delta Central should not be tied to the interests of a single politician, particularly when such a decision could undermine the district’s access to government patronage, appointments, infrastructure and other developmental opportunities.
Dafinone further warned that continued opposition politics could have far-reaching consequences for the Urhobo nation ahead of 2031, when, under the state’s informal rotational arrangement, the governorship is expected to return to Delta South.
He argued that political leaders naturally give greater consideration to those who supported their emergence, stressing that another period of opposition could leave Delta Central further disadvantaged in the distribution of political opportunities.
He therefore called for greater political unity and collective consideration of Urhobo interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The EDAM, with coordinators across the district’s eight local government areas and 85 wards, was charged to intensify grassroots mobilisation for all APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The inauguration, held at Dafinone’s residence in Sapele, brought together local government and ward coordinators who were sworn in to strengthen the movement’s organisational structure and expand its reach across the senatorial district.
Tracing the movement’s origin to 2022, Dafinone credited his supporters, particularly Sam Dafinone, whom he identified as its founder, with initiating the social media campaign that eventually developed into EDAM ahead of the 2023 election.
“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’,” he said.
The senator, who linked his approach to representation to his private sector background, said his priority was to make public service accessible and deliver opportunities to 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.
Dafinone identified human capital development as the central focus of his representation, listing employment, scholarships, contracts and promotions among the opportunities his office facilitates.
He 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 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 Delta Central’s 85 wards and expressed optimism that the remaining two would benefit before the conclusion of the implementation of the last budget.
He listed the train station project at Egbore in Ughelli South Local Government Area and a 50-bed hostel at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, among the projects. He also highlighted skills acquisition programmes in agriculture, fishing, scaffolding and rigging as other dividends.
Earlier, the National Chairman of EDAM, Sam Dafinone, who was 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 election.
Sam recalled the contributions of the late Sam Omoko and Barrister Emmanuel to the movement’s development, explaining that the organization had evolved from an initial mobilisation effort into a broader political organisation.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Participants at the inauguration pose for a group photograph.
