By Endurance Ikanone
Senator Ede Dafinone has warned that the Urhobo nation could face deeper political marginalisation if it continues to pursue opposition politics in Delta State, urging the ethnic nationality to embrace a more progressive political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dafinone, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly and is the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for the district in 2027, said more than two decades of opposition politics had deprived the Urhobo political class of opportunities, resources and development, while those aligned with successive ruling administrations enjoyed greater influence.
He spoke at 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 lamented that the Urhobo nation had consistently occupied a disadvantaged position in the distribution of political opportunities under successive administrations, particularly during the 16 years of former governors Emmanuel Uduaghan and Ifeanyi Okowa.
He said the situation persisted during the emergence and early administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, noting that a significant section of the Urhobo political class had opposed his governorship ambition, thereby weakening the ethnic nationality’s position within the state’s political establishment.
Dafinone argued that Delta North and Delta South had now benefited from producing Governor Oborevwori, stressing that the Urhobo nation should not repeat what he described as a costly political mistake in 2027.
According to him, the collective political interests of the Urhobo nation should not be sacrificed to satisfy the personal ambition of any individual determined to remain in opposition.
He maintained that the political fortunes of Delta Central should not be tied to the interests of a single politician, particularly where such a decision could undermine the district’s access to government appointments, infrastructure, patronage and other developmental opportunities.
The senator further warned that continued opposition politics could have far-reaching consequences for the Urhobo nation ahead of 2031, when the state’s informal rotational arrangement is expected to return the governorship to Delta South.
He argued that political leaders naturally give greater consideration to those who supported their emergence, warning that another period of opposition could leave Delta Central further disadvantaged in the distribution of political opportunities.
Dafinone therefore called for greater political unity and a collective approach to safeguarding Urhobo interests ahead of the 2027 elections.
The inauguration of EDAM coordinators, he said, was part of efforts to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and ensure that the movement extended its reach across the eight local government areas and 85 wards of Delta Central.
He charged the newly inaugurated coordinators to intensify mobilisation for all APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The inauguration brought together local government and ward coordinators who were sworn in to strengthen the movement’s organisational structure and expand its political presence 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 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,'” 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 facilitated by his office.
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, expressing optimism that the remaining two wards 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 facilitated.
The senator also highlighted skills acquisition programmes in agriculture, fishing, scaffolding and rigging, saying the initiatives were aimed at equipping constituents with practical skills and improving their economic opportunities.
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 movement’s development, explaining that EDAM had evolved from an initial mobilisation effort into a broader political organisation.
He urged the coordinators to remain committed to the movement’s objectives and strengthen its grassroots presence across Delta Central.
