Senator representing Delta Central, Ede Dafinone, has warned that the Urhobo nation risks deeper political marginalisation if it fails to change its political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the ethnic nationality to prioritise collective interests over individual political ambitions.
Dafinone, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said more than two decades of opposition politics in Delta State had limited the Urhobo nation’s access to political opportunities, government appointments, resources and development.
He made the remarks 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 the Urhobo political class had repeatedly found itself on the losing side of major political decisions, particularly during the administrations of former governors Emmanuel Uduaghan and Ifeanyi Okowa.
According to him, the situation persisted during the emergence of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, when a significant section of Urhobo political leaders opposed his governorship ambition, thereby weakening the ethnic nationality’s influence within the state’s political establishment.
Dafinone noted that Delta North and Delta South had now produced governors, stressing that the Urhobo nation should avoid repeating past political mistakes in 2027.
He cautioned that the collective political interests of the Urhobo people should not be sacrificed to accommodate the personal ambitions of individuals who prefer to remain in opposition.
The lawmaker maintained that Delta Central’s political future should not be tied to the ambitions of any single politician, particularly when such decisions could deprive the district of access to government appointments, infrastructure, patronage and other developmental opportunities.
Looking beyond 2027, Dafinone warned that continued opposition politics could further weaken the Urhobo nation’s bargaining position ahead of 2031, when the governorship is expected to rotate to Delta South under the state’s informal power-sharing arrangement.
He argued that political leaders naturally give greater consideration to those who supported their emergence, warning that another cycle of political opposition could leave Delta Central further disadvantaged.
He consequently called on Urhobo leaders and stakeholders to embrace political unity and make decisions based on the long-term interests of the ethnic nationality.
At the event, coordinators of the Ede Dafinone Admirers Movement across Delta Central’s eight local government areas and 85 wards were inaugurated and charged with intensifying grassroots mobilisation for all APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The inauguration was attended by party supporters and movement leaders, with the newly sworn-in coordinators expected to strengthen EDAM’s organisational structure and expand its political reach across the senatorial district.
Tracing the movement’s history to 2022, Dafinone credited his supporters, particularly Sam Dafinone, whom he identified as its founder, for initiating the social media campaign that eventually evolved into EDAM ahead of the 2023 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.
Speaking on his approach to representation, Dafinone said his private-sector background had shaped his belief that public service should be accessible and focused on delivering tangible opportunities to the people.
“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.
He added that he was committed to ensuring that constituents seeking assistance from his office were not turned away.
The senator identified human capital development as the central focus of his representation, listing employment opportunities, scholarships, contracts and promotions among the benefits facilitated through his office.
He also highlighted his position as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character, saying it had provided additional opportunities to assist qualified constituents seeking employment and other openings in government institutions and organisations.
“My office provides recommendations for employment, scholarships and contracts. The objective is to create a level playing field,” he stated.
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 implementation of the last budget was concluded.
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 initiatives in agriculture, fishing, scaffolding and rigging as part of efforts to empower constituents and improve their economic opportunities.
Earlier, the National Chairman of EDAM, Sam Dafinone, represented by the movement’s Delta Central Chairman, Billy Egbe, explained that the organisation was established to communicate the senator’s professional background, achievements and leadership qualities ahead of the 2023 elections.
Egbe also acknowledged the contributions of the late Sam Omoko and Barrister Emmanuel to the movement’s growth, noting that EDAM had evolved from an initial mobilisation platform into a broader political organisation.
