By Sunday Apah
The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, Senator Ede Dafinone, has formally declared his intention to run for a second term in the Senate.
Dafinone made this known during his official declaration at Oharisi Primary School, Ughelli, Delta State.
He thanked the people of Delta Central for their confidence in electing him as their Senator over the past three years, adding that his journey is rooted in a home where accountability was non-negotiable.
“As the son of the late Senator David Omueya Dafinone, I was raised to understand that leadership is not a badge of rank, but a burden of service,” he said.
“Before coming to the Senate, I spent decades in professional life as a renowned Chartered Accountant, working within systems where discipline, precision, and responsibility are required, and rising to become a Fellow of both the ICAEW (England and Wales) and ICAN (Nigeria).
“My professional life at Crowe Dafinone and my roles within the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation were defined by one principle: creating systems that work and last.”
He stated that this background shaped his approach to representation. “I came to the Senate with the precision of an auditor and the vision of an architect, to deliver outcomes that endure.”
Reflecting on his work, Dafinone noted: “Over the years, both in public life and through the Dafinone Foundation—through which I have empowered over 2,000 Deltans in the past 20 years—I have engaged closely with our people, supporting enterprise, encouraging self-sufficiency, and gaining a deeper understanding of the realities of everyday life across our communities. I have come to appreciate that true empowerment lies in providing people with the tools to achieve dignity and self-reliance.”
He emphasized that from the very beginning, his approach has been clear: “Engage our people. Do the work. Deliver results that are real and measurable.”
In the past three years, we have turned promises into projects. From the push for the revitalisation of the Sapele Seaport to advocacy for the extension of the Ujevwu-Itakpe railway line to Abuja and sustained intervention on the Effurun-Sapele-Benin Road, our focus has remained clear: creating opportunities and positioning Delta Central as a major economic hub.
“We have electrified communities with 500kVA transformers, built ICT centres in schools from Urhobo College to Abraka Grammar School, and launched the massive Delta Central Medical Outreach, screening thousands for life-threatening conditions.
“We are currently completing a 50-bed hostel in FUPRE as well as a train stop station at Egbo Uhurie, in Ughelli South LGA, and will shortly commence work on a facelift project at the UPU House on Okere Road.
“From sponsoring bills for the establishment of new Federal Universities in Isiokolo and Orerokpe, to our intervention during the unfortunate Okuama crisis, which contributed to securing the release of unlawfully detained constituents such as the Ovie of Ewu, HRM King Clement Ikolo, and Pa Dennis Okugbaye, our representation has been consistent, vocal, visible, and visceral.”
He added: “In the past three years, our work has been guided by one clear objective: to position Delta Central for sustainable growth and opportunity.”
“I must sincerely commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the courage and vision he has demonstrated through the Renewed Hope Agenda. The reforms introduced by his administration are bold and necessary for the long-term stability of our economy and the future of our nation.
“Though challenging, these policies are already laying the foundation for sustainable growth, improved infrastructure, economic recovery, and increased investment opportunities across Nigeria.
“At the state level, His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has continued to demonstrate purposeful leadership through his MORE Agenda. Across Delta Central, we are witnessing transformational infrastructure development — from ongoing road projects and flood control measures to the Otovwodo Flyover in Ughelli, improvements within the Warri/Effurun axis, and critical investments in healthcare and rural access roads.
“These projects are changing lives and opening up economic opportunities for our people. The progress of the Urhobo nation depends on the seamless collaboration between the Federal Government, the State, and the Senate. By aligning with President Tinubu’s national vision and Governor Oborevwori’s state roadmap, I am positioned to ensure Delta Central remains at the forefront of the national conversation regarding the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Effurun–Sapele–Benin Road and other critical infrastructure projects across Delta Central. We must consolidate this advantage for the benefit of the Urhobo nation and future generations.”
“As we look ahead, the question is clear: What kind of leadership does Delta Central need now? I believe the answer is equally clear. We need—and deserve—steady, thoughtful, and accountable leadership that delivers consistently.
“Every season demands a different kind of leadership. 2027 demands leadership that builds, consolidates, and sustains progress for ALL of Delta Central.”
**The Vision for a Second Term**
“Looking ahead, if given a renewed mandate, my focus will be clearly on deepening economic opportunities and enterprise development, expanding youth empowerment and job creation, advancing strategic infrastructure, strengthening education and human capacity, and sustaining people-centred, accessible representation.
“I will continue to pursue policies and partnerships that create real opportunities—ensuring that our youth are prepared for a changing economy, that our communities are connected, and that our people are empowered. This is leadership defined not by rhetoric, but by responsibility and delivery.”
“My fellow brothers and sisters, this journey has never been about me as an individual. It is about our collective future. It is about ensuring that our children inherit a Delta Central that is stronger, more stable, and full of opportunity.
“To our ever-supportive women—Women OYEH—and gallant youth—you are the heartbeat of this mission. Your energy, resilience, and aspirations must be matched with real opportunities. Your talents must find expression.
“With your support, we will continue to lead with a clear conscience, a professional heart, and an unwavering commitment to the Urhobo Nation. Together, let us continue the journey of progress, stability, and development.”
“Leadership is a trust renewed by the people—not assumed. Ultimately, the people of Delta Central will make the decision based on what they have seen, felt, and experienced. That is the essence of democratic representation.”
He concluded: “After deep reflection and extensive consultation, I formally declare my intention to seek re-election to the 11th National Assembly to continue as Senator representing the resilient and great people of Delta Central.”
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Delta Central, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, stated: “I have listened to the achievements of Senator Ede Dafinone in the last few years, and I have also listened to all the fellow speakers. Remember that he has come to declare for this party and not for his family at home.
“This is a party, and we run a very sound leadership party as far as I’m concerned. I can assure you that APC as a party has two ways in primaries: either by consensus or by direct primary.
“I want to assure you that at the appropriate time, this decision will be taken. You have done well in your first tenure, and I know you will do better in your second tenure by the grace of God.
“You have done a lot, and we assure you APC will stand by you. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to appeal to all of you to fall back to your various wards and units and get prepared to cast your vote for Ede Dafinone.”
He added: “We are very happy with Dafinone for not coming to declare before a family, but he declared before the party and before you. And so the only aspirant you know today who is going to be seen is the one that has declared before you, and it’s not the one that declared before his family.”
Prince Koyoyo Uhrorho, South-South Youth Leader of APC, stated that they are witnessing the declaration of a refined gentleman who did not see himself as bigger than the party.
“He subjected himself to the leadership of the party by telling the party leadership, ‘Please give me a date. I won’t come and declare my intention today.’ The entire party structure in the state, in our senatorial district, and our families—he has told us. Because he has done well, he deserves a second term.
“However, I am not going to be partisan because I am a party leader. But for him to subject himself to the leadership of the party, for him to identify with the party and come to say, ‘Please send me for a second term’—our appeal to the party, both at the national, state, and local government levels, is that we should consider Senator Dafinone for another tenure.”
He continued: “I also bring you greetings from Mr. President. As we all know, Delta State has become a construction site. This is possible because Mr. President is releasing funds for our state. At a point in the past, you would hardly see a local government chairman commissioning a project, but in Delta State today, local government chairmen are commissioning gigantic projects.
“All this is because Mr. President has made funds available for the development of our states and our communities. If you have been in APC before now, you will know that our governor, His Excellency, has restored the glory of our party in the state. Before now, it was all chaos and it was all quiet at every corner. He has restored the glory of our party today. There is direction and there is leadership. There is direction in our party. And if you are not ready to follow our direction and the direction of our leader, if you are not ready to follow our leader, you better look for an alternative party.”
Olorogun John Oguma, Chief Ighoyota Amori, Chief Ramson Ikweki, Chief Halims Agoda, APC LGA Chairmen, and other leaders all endorsed Senator Ede Dafinone for a second term.
