Dafinone has restored Urhobo’s political standing in Abuja — Delta gov’s aide
Senator Ede Dafinone’s three-year tenure representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly has restored the political standing, dignity and influence of the Urhobo people in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Ovie Success, has said.
Ossai made the assertion on Thursday in a statement assessing Dafinone’s performance in the Senate and comparing his representation with that of the immediate past occupant of the seat, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, Dafinone has achieved in three years what, in the view of many Urhobo stakeholders, previous representation failed to accomplish, particularly in attracting federal interventions and maintaining effective engagement with constituents and political stakeholders.
He said Dafinone had used his position in the Senate to project the interests of the Urhobo people while adopting what he described as a more consultative and development-focused approach to representation.
“Across the eight local government areas of Urhobo Nation, Senator Dafinone has rebuilt the political reputation, dignity and respect of the Urhobo people in Abuja,” Ossai said.
He contrasted Dafinone’s tenure with that of Omo-Agege, who served as Delta Central senator before becoming Deputy President of the Senate, saying the former lawmaker’s tenure was associated with political controversies and divisions.
Ossai, however, argued that Dafinone’s approach had focused more on consultation, legislation and attracting federal presence to Delta Central.
He listed Dafinone’s legislative interventions to include sponsorship and co-sponsorship of bills relating to economic growth, tax reforms and national development.
The governor’s aide also said the senator had facilitated federal projects, appointments and interventions in education, healthcare and infrastructure across the senatorial district.
According to him, thousands of Urhobo youths and women have benefited from empowerment initiatives, business grants and scholarship programmes facilitated through Dafinone’s office.
Beyond physical projects and empowerment programmes, Ossai said Dafinone had maintained regular consultations with traditional rulers, political leaders, community stakeholders and grassroots residents to ensure that issues affecting the district received attention at the federal level.
He added that the senator’s engagements with ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government had helped attract additional development opportunities to Delta Central.
Ossai further claimed that Dafinone’s style of representation had earned him support across political divides, describing him as a representative who prioritised results and inclusiveness over political rhetoric.
He said many Urhobo people now viewed Dafinone as a senator who had brought “dignity and decorum” to the representation of Delta Central in Abuja.
As political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify, Ossai predicted that Omo-Agege would face a wider defeat in any contest for the Delta Central senatorial seat than the margin by which he lost the 2023 Delta State governorship election to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
“The position in Urhobo land is clear. Irrespective of party affiliation, the people will be casting their votes for Senator Ede Dafinone,” he said.
Ossai said the expected support for Dafinone should not be viewed solely through the lens of political party affiliation, but as a reflection of what he described as the senator’s performance, commitment to the district and efforts to project the interests of the Urhobo people.
“This is not about party. This is about performance, pride and the future of Urhobo Nation. Urhobo people will reward a man who has redeemed our name and given us quality representation,” he said.
