Delta Central APC Endorses Tinubu, Oborevwori As Dafinone Declares for Re-election to Senate

Delta Central APC Endorses Tinubu, Oborevwori As Dafinone Declares for Re-election to Senate

•As Tinubu Rejects Automatic Tickets for Senators, Hands Power to Governors

By Matthias Matthias

UGHELLI – The member representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, Senator Ede Dafinone, has on Sunday 26th April, 2026 formally declared his intention to run for a second term amid President Bola Tinubu’s rejection of automatic tickets for senators across the country.

Dafinone, who was accompanied by APC faithful across Delta Central District made his intention known during his official declaration at Oharisi Primary School, Ughelli, the administrative headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.

While thanking the people of Delta Central for their confidence in electing him as their Senator over the past three years, he added that his political journey is rooted in a home where accountability was non-negotiable.

that

He words, “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.

“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 emphasised that from the very beginning, his approach has been clear: “Engage our people. Do the work. Deliver results that are real and measurable.”

Speaking further in his achievements in the past three years in office, he said, he has turned his 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.

On his legislative duty at the red chamber, he discloses that he has sponsored bills for the establishment of new Federal Universities in Isiokolo and Orerokpe, adding that his efforts has yield to the timely 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 said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his economic reform policy described them as 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.”

“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.

“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”.

While declaring his intention, he said, “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.”

Meanwhile, the Delta Central chairman of the All Progressives Congress, 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.”

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.

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu has on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja rejected moves by senators seeking automatic tickets ahead of the next general elections, choosing instead to leave final decisions on candidates in the hands of state governors.

The lawmakers argued that such an arrangement would ensure continuity. They said it would also help preserve legislative experience and reduce internal party conflicts.

While turning down the request without hesitation President Tinubu stressed that governors remain the key political leaders in their states. He said they must retain the power to decide who gets party tickets.

He insisted that the governor of each state has the influence over candidates, he told them plainly that governors are the leaders of the party in their states and must have a say on who gets the ticket,” the source disclosed.