In June 2022, exactly 10 months ago, Emerald News, one of the leading online newspapers based in Delta state published an article with the title “Delta2023: Three brilliant senatorial candidates that can change the image of Delta in Abuja”. The article was a prediction by the online media after due consideration of the three candidates without bias for political parties existing in the state. The article was written out of the desire for the three senatorial districts of Delta to have great minds who can join forces together and make Delta an enviable state in the national assembly.
Although there were many candidates of different parties, our editorial eyes were beamed on the three with the belief that they have what it takes to win the election. Not just winning the election but will be better representatives at the red chambers of the national assembly. The three candidates selected by the medium were Prince Ned Nwoko for Delta North, Ede Dafinone for Delta central and Joel Onowakpo Thomas for Delta South. The article was based on the rich background of the trio and their success stories in places where they have worked or are working.
Ned Nwoko has been in the national assembly at the lower chambers. He did exceptionally well while he was in the House of Representatives. He was instrumental to the Paris Club refund where the federal, state and local governments benefited immensely. He has been a philanthropist and a lover of humanity. He has championed series of programmes for the good of Nigerians, Deltans and the Anioma people. Many students are enjoying scholarships today in different universities courtesy of Ned Nwoko foundation.
Anioma people will be very lucky to have Ned Nwoko now in the national assembly. He is not a pushover in issues affecting Nigeria. His connection, influence and reach will take Anioma nation to levels beyond their widest imagination. He has an outline of programmes he has put in place for the benefit of the Anioma people. Projects meant for Anioma people in different communities will definitely get to them and the people will be happy. He is a good choice for Delta North and he will not allow anything meant for Anioma people to be diverted, either from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the federal government and other federal agencies.
Ede Dafinone and Joel Onowakpo Thomas will not do less as expected from them. For the second time Isoko people are having a Senator representing Delta South in the National Assembly. It was formerly Senator Stella Omu who represented the zone from 1999 to 2003. Then James Manager took over and remained there till now that he will be leaving for JOT to take over in June.
Without mincing words, JOT is an intelligent man who will contribute to robust debates in the upper chamber. His experience in the Delta Board of Internal Revenue and Federal Inland Revenue Service, among other places where he has worked will surely enable him to contribute to debates effectively in the red chamber.
Isoko people and by extension the entire Delta South, will, once again, enjoy a good representation in Abuja. Delta South will now feel the federal presence in their domain. The Isoko region where he hails from, have two advantages. They have the House of Representatives member and the senator from their home base. The region in Delta has no reason why it should not have the best development in the new government that will be constituted between May and June this year.
For Delta central, Ede Dafinone is no less a great asset for the zone. As Omo-Agege bows out and he steps in, certainly better days are ahead for the senatorial district. Omo-Agege has done his best for the zone, though being criticized for pulling all federal structures to his country home of Orogun, Ede Dafinone will do great for the Urhobo people.
The three men are great minds who, if they come together and forget party affiliation, Delta will feel the impact of democracy once again.
AUSTIN OYIBODE
EDITOR, EMERALD NEWS
