After 27 years of political exclusion, stakeholders in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have applauded the restoration of the Ughelli South II State Constituency, particularly praising Senator Ede Dafinone and Hon. Francis Waive for their contributions to the process.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently restored Ughelli South II alongside Abraka and Isoko North II in Delta State and Yagba West II in Kogi State, following relevant court judgments. The Commission has fixed September 19, 2026, for elections into the restored constituencies, with party primaries scheduled for August 21–25.
The development has been described by stakeholders in Ughelli South as a major correction of a political anomaly that had denied communities in Ughelli South II direct representation in the Delta State House of Assembly since 1999.
Speaking on the development, the Coordinator of the Niger Delta Peace Coalition, Zik Gbemre, specifically commended the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, for his role in advancing the restoration effort.
“Ughelli South has Senator Ede Dafinone to thank for championing the cause with connection and financial support before anyone else,” Gbemre said.
Similarly, former Leader of the Ughelli South Local Government Legislature, Chief Sunny Apah, acknowledged the contributions of key stakeholders to the restoration, including Chief John Oguma, Hon. Francis Waive, member representing Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, and Ughelli South Local Government Chairman, Dr. Lucky Avweromre.
The recognition of Dafinone and Waive reflects the sustained efforts by political and community stakeholders to address the long-standing constitutional and representational imbalance in Ughelli South.
APC chieftain, Olorogun Adelabu Bodjor, described the restoration as “good and a huge relief to the people of Ughelli South in general,” saying it had “corrected the anomaly” created by the previous arrangement.
Bodjor also commended the Ughelli South political class and Senator Dafinone for their efforts, expressing optimism that the September election would produce “vibrant representatives” capable of effectively representing their constituents.
The incumbent representative of Ughelli South State Constituency, Hon. Festus Utuama, also welcomed the development, noting that the restoration would ease the legislative burden previously carried by a single representative.
“The restoration of our Second Constituency is indeed welcome news to our people. A burden previously carried by one representative will now be shared by two and there can be no better relief than this,” Utuama said.
Under the new arrangement, Utuama is expected to represent Ughelli South I from September 19, while the people of Ughelli South II will elect their own representative.
With the restoration now formally recognised by INEC, attention has shifted to the political parties and prospective candidates ahead of the September 19 poll.
For residents and stakeholders, however, the significance of the development goes beyond the election. They see the return of Ughelli South II as the restoration of democratic representation to communities that have been without a distinct State Assembly constituency for 27 years, with Senator Dafinone, Hon. Waive and other stakeholders receiving commendation for their inputs towards achieving the long-awaited restoration.
