By Victor Lewis
Less than three months to the APC primary, the people of Delta Central Senatorial District have been inundated with known and unknown aspirants into the Senatorial seat race.
Only a few days ago, there was an advertorial in some national newspapers sponsored by a group of Urhobos calling on Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who represented the Urhobos in the Senate for two consecutive tenures, (2015-2023), to throw his cap in the ring for a third term.
It isn’t an abomination in Delta Central for anyone with interest to aspire to contest for the Senatorial seat and even successfully occupy that seat for more than once – no. But over time, since the beginning of the ongoing third democratic dispensation, it has always been one senator to one tenure.
However, that unwritten rotational arrangement was broken when Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who did a first tenure from 2015 to 2019 in the Senate, aspired for a second term and he received the overwhelming endorsement of the Urhobo people in 2019. He, thus, set the precedent.
Stare Decisis’ is a common law principle which implies that the decision of a superior Court constitutes a precedent and authority which other courts can subsequently refer in matters of similar nature. And to amplify this concept in ordinary parlance, it is often said that “what is good for the goose is also good for the gander”. It is on this premise that Distinguished Senator Omo-Agege set the precedent for a possible second tenure for any first-time Senator in Delta Central.
Omo-Agege’s second tenure expired in 2023 when he unsuccessfully contested for the governorship of the State. However, his second tenure in the Senate obviously redefined the tenureship of the Senatorial seat of Delta Central.
Opinions were diverse as to why and how Senator Omo-Agege broke the jinx of one-senator, one-tenure unwritten arrangement hitherto. While some rely heavily on the first term performance of Senator Omo-Agege, others hinged their supports on an expected opportunity for second term senators to grab principal positions in the Senate as a ranking Senator.
Permutations from different corners converged and came out correct and Senator Omo-Agege saw himself catapulted into the Deputy President of the Senate – a position that attracted remarkable federal presence to Delta Central. Indeed, a precedent was set for the enthronement of any well-performed first-time Senator to aspire for a second term and win the support of the people.
Senator Ede Dafinone, the current Senator representing Delta Central is in his third year of his first tenure in the Senate and opinions seem to sway in his favour as an accomplished representative of the people of Delta Central even when he is yet to complete the first stanza.
Dafinone’s streak of achievements in the Senate so far has been remarkable. Apart from his vantage position where he vociferously conveys the cause of the Urhobo people in the Senate, Senator Dafinone has contributed tremendously to the emergence of bills and motions that have positive impact on his Senatorial District.
Prominent among these were his bill for
Federal University of Agricultural Technology, Orerokpe (which is at its third reading); the bill for Data Compensation (which is at its second reading); the bill for the establishment of Federal University of Education, Isiokolo (which has passed First Reading) and the bill for Chartered Institute of Planning (which has passed second reading and referred to Committee for detailed review).
Strategic motions moved by the Distinguised Senator on the floor of the Red Chamber include: a) Condemnation of Okuama killings; b) Compliance by INEC with court judgments restoring 4 State Constituencies; c) Extension of Itakpe–Ujevwu railway to Abuja and d) Regulation and proper labelling of Genetically Modified Crops (GMCs).
Senator Dafinone’s achievement in the area of attracting infrastructure to his people has been quite remarkable and unique. Unfortunately, there are still very few who out of crass ignorance and delusional mischief criticize the Senator by unsubstantiated comparison.
For those who don’t know, the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which commenced in May 2023, iit has only executed 2023 nationwide. The budget of 2024 and 2025, especially on the capital provision has been hanging in the balance and they have been carried forward to 2026. And as the moment, three months into 2026, the 2026 budget plus the carry-overs from 2024 and 2025 are yet to be approved by the National Assembly and passed into law.
In the circumstance, it is noteworthy that more the 90% of Senator Dafinone’s achievement so far are not budget sourced. Yes, this can be fact checked independently. We are witnesses to the recent scenario in the National Assembly where most ministers surprised the lawmakers during their 2026 budget defence that their ministry’s 2025 budget did not receive up to 15% fund release. This phenomenon also affected the National Assembly.
However, amid this predicament, Senator Dafinone’s performance in terms of empowerment, infrastructure and quality representation have been overwhelming and unprecedented.
Take a good look at Dafinone’s first tenure performance in summary:
I) Ongoing construction of a 50-room hostel at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) for the Sub-Degree Directorate (ongoing); ii) Completed construction and equipping of ICT Centres at Urhobo College Effurun in Uvwie LGA; iii). Completed construction and equipping of ICT Centres at Ugbokodo Secondary School in Okpe LGA; iv) Completed construction and equipping of ICT Centres at Orhuwhorun Grammar School in Udu LGA; v) Completed the construction and equipping of ICT Centres at Ogor Technical College in Ughelli North LGA; vi) Ongoing construction of a 50-room hostel at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) for the Sub-Degree Directorate and Donation of a student bus to Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe, Ethiope West LGA.
To facilitate and boost power supply to parts of Delta Central, Senator Dafinone has been very remarkable. These include: I) Provision and Installation of Solar Street Lights in Agbarolin Street, off Ugberikoko Road, Gana, Oleh Road, Adagbrasa-Elume, Old Eko Amukpe Road, Assemblies of God Church Road and Gospel Church of God Road off Atufe Road – all in Sapele Local Government Area; ii) Provision and Installation of Solar Street Lights in Bokpovwe in Otor Okwagbe, Okwagbe Okweimo Road, Ughelli South; iii) Provision and Installation of Solar Street Lights in Ekakpamre; iv) Provision and Installation of Solar Street Lights in Ukpiovwin/ Otor-Udu old road and v) Provision and Installation of Solar Street Lights in Ovwian Police Station.
Other areas which were lighted up by Senator Dafinone include: vi) Provision and Installation of Solar Street Lights in Ukpiovwin/Otor-Udu old road and vii) Provision and Installation of Solar Street Lights in Ojikpata Road by Railway, Orhuworhun.
The Senator who is yet to complete his first tenure also provided for the: viii) Installation of 500KVA transformer in Oyonbru, Jesse, Ethiope West LGA. ix) Installation of 500KVA transformer in Okpara-Inland, Ethiope West, LGA; x) Installation of 500KVA transformer at Eregbe junction, Okpara-inland, Ethiope West LGA and xi) Installation of 500KVA transformer at the Substation, 37 Dafinone Street, Sapele LGA.
Senator Dafinone also renovated and equipped electrical engineering laboratories at Sapele Technical College, including the installation of customized transformers in the institution.
The Sapele Correctional Centre also got a mida touch of Senator Dafinone as he renovated the entire structure including the renovation of the soak-away toilet system as well as providing Street light in the centre.
The Urhobo-born Senator has also proved his mettle within the short space of three years in the area of promoting and projecting the cause of his people. This, he aptly demonstrated in the aftermath of the killing of military men in March 14, 2024 when having condemned the incident, visited the displaced persons camp in Ewu and donated food and relief materials to the inmates.
Senator Dafinone also facilitated the release of HRM King Clement Ikolo of Ewu Kingdom, as well as securing the release of Pa Dennis Okugbaye after months of military detention.
Other areas where Senator Dafinone attracted remarkable presence of the federal government to his senatorial district include successfully securing federal funding for the first phase of Sapele Port rehabilitation, after direct engagement with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the launching of a two-day Agriculture and Food Security Training, providing starter packs, seeds, pesticides, and tools to farmers across Delta Central.
He was also instrumental to the recent rehabilitation of the Gamon Bridge between Sapele and Mosogar, empowerment of his constituents with skill acquisition tools, fertilizers to farmers, cash transfers of N50,000 to families, free medical outreach and promotion of Urhobo language sponsorship.
Dafinone also introduced a novel idea on how to connect with other Urhobo sons and daughters who are in privileged positions in Abuja to Forster stronger ties from which they could help each other, especially those who may need help for genuine reasons. This, Dafinone has tagged as “Meet and Greet” sessions for Urhobo professionals in Abuja.
Apart from provision of scholarships for several Urhobo sons and daughters, Senator Dafinone also facilitated job opportunities for numerous qualified Urhobos in NPF, NELFUND, NSCDC, NCS, NIS, FIRS, FCDA, FMC Asaba, FUPRE, NASS, PAP, NDDC amongst others.
Some of the beneficiaries include: Flora Fatie Orunor, Dennis Ojanuyovwi, Obie Kelly, Akajakpor Joseph, Okpomor Harrison, Dr. Otega Julius, Merit Troro, Ekevwo Esther, Rukevwe Palmer, Michael Ibada, among others.
Beneficiaries of federal scholarships facilitated by Senator include: David Olomukoro, Obiebor Alex, Obaro Ogbeifo, Shedrack Jeroh, Emmanuella Oghenekparobor, Faith Obodo, Flora Emoghene, amongst others.
In spite of the budgetary impediment hampering the job of Senators in the 10th Senate, the relentless Senator representing the good people of Delta Central has secured multiple people-oriented projects in the 2025 budget that has been carried forward to 2026.
Some of these strategic projects include: a) Renovation of classrooms and supply of desks across selected schools; b) Education materials for secondary school libraries; c) Replacement and installation of 500KVA transformers; d) Drainage and road construction in Okwagbe and other communities; e) Provision of boreholes in Sapele LGA;
f) Medical outreaches and drug dispensation and g) Greenhouse farming empowerment for women and youths.
Other strategic people-oriented projects expected to impact the lives of people in Delta Central especially in the area of Solar mini-grid installations in underserved communities. These include: Science laboratory renovations and ICT centres in selected schools;
Construction of drainage and access roads across LGAs; Solar street lights in multiple communities; Construction and equipping of a modern health centre in Ethiope West; Completion of FUPRE 50-bed hostel and Establishment of waste management and recycling plants.
Juxtaposing the above stellar performance of Distinguished Senator Ede Dafinone in his representation of Delta Central alongside the clarion calls for him to prepare for a second term, one can clearly see that he is well-endowed and positioned to take Delta Central to the next level.
We have witnessed some bizarre instances in the distant past where Delta Central Senators came home with trailer-loads of cassava stems and palm seedlings brought from Abuja as empowerment for the people. We also witnessed scenario where somewhere in Ubogo in Udu LGA was earmarked and bulldozed the establishment of international market. But that was where it ended. All those have become history now. The new qualification is performance-based and that defines the aspiration for a second tenure in Delta Central Senatorial seat.
Senator Ede Dafinone has a long Scorecard of tangible and intangible achievements. He is also very focused on how he is going to reshape Delta Central Senatorial landscape with strategic development in his second tenure.
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