UGHELLI, Delta State — More than 250 community youth leaders from Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency, popularly known as U3, have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Ede Dafinone, House of Representatives member Francis Ejiroghene Waive and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was announced on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during the U3 Federal Constituency Community Youth Leaders Conference 2026, held at Wetland Hotel, Ughelli, Delta State.
The conference, organised by Chief Hope Ejiro, U3 Youth Leader and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Development, brought together youth leaders to discuss grassroots participation in governance, community development and political unity ahead of the next general elections.
Addressing participants, Senator Dafinone commended the youth leaders for their support for the APC candidates and reaffirmed his commitment to effective representation, equitable distribution of constituency projects and the creation of opportunities for young people.
The Delta Central senator disclosed that his office was working towards ensuring that every local government area in the senatorial district benefited from at least one significant constituency project as his tenure entered its fourth year.
He said the planned and ongoing interventions also included smaller projects such as transformers, streetlights, water facilities, schools and other essential infrastructure aimed at improving living conditions across communities.
Dafinone explained that lawmakers nominate constituency projects, while relevant federal ministries, departments and agencies are responsible for their implementation. He stressed that elected representatives must follow up with the agencies to ensure that approved projects are properly executed.
He listed educational facilities, healthcare infrastructure, accident and emergency wards, school hostels and community utilities among the interventions being pursued, insisting that no community should be neglected in the distribution of development projects.
The senator urged community leaders to maintain communication with his office and provide information about their most pressing development needs to help guide project priorities.
Dafinone highlights federal employment opportunities
The lawmaker also highlighted his position as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character, describing it as an opportunity to promote fairness, equity and balanced representation in federal appointments and employment.
He encouraged qualified Urhobo youths to take advantage of federal recruitment opportunities by following his official social media platforms for credible vacancy announcements.
According to him, his office would provide guidance and legitimate follow-up to applicants while respecting established recruitment procedures.
Dafinone said improved access to employment opportunities, federal projects and other development interventions remained important aspects of his representation, adding that cooperation among the Federal Government, Delta State Government and elected representatives was essential to attracting development to Urhobo communities.
Senator defends Tinubu’s economic reforms
Speaking on the economic policies of President Tinubu’s administration, Dafinone acknowledged the economic hardship confronting Nigerians but defended the reforms, arguing that they were intended to address longstanding structural challenges and reposition the economy.
He cited fuel subsidy removal, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and increased financial resources available to state governments as key initiatives of the administration.
The senator, however, stressed the importance of accountability and responsible management of public resources to ensure that the benefits of the reforms translated into improved living conditions for Nigerians.
He maintained that effective representation required accessibility, sustained engagement with constituents and strong institutional relationships capable of attracting federal interventions to communities.
Waive urges youths to embrace responsible leadership
Also speaking at the conference, the member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, urged youth leaders to take greater responsibility for the future of their communities by making informed political choices and holding elected officials accountable.
Waive said leadership should be assessed based on character, competence, capacity and commitment to public service rather than political promises.
He identified poverty, unemployment, inadequate healthcare, insecurity and limited economic opportunities as major challenges requiring sustained attention from government and community stakeholders.
The federal lawmaker urged young people to embrace education, discipline, productive engagement and community service, noting that the values and decisions of the younger generation would shape the future of society.
Drawing on biblical principles, he emphasised faith, integrity and responsible leadership, reminding participants that present actions would determine future outcomes.
Waive also called for collective responsibility in addressing Nigeria’s development challenges, urging youths to move beyond complaints and become active participants in finding solutions to problems affecting their communities.
Organiser calls for unity among U3 youth leaders
Earlier, the convener of the conference, Chief Hope Ejiro, said the initiative was designed to strengthen dialogue between grassroots leaders and elected representatives while promoting a common position on the development priorities of the three local government areas.
He explained that the gathering provided an opportunity for community youth leaders to speak with one voice, identify pressing needs and strengthen engagement with political officeholders.
Participants also discussed grassroots political participation, youth development and the need for greater cooperation among communities across the federal constituency.
The conference ended with the participating youth leaders reaffirming their endorsement of Tinubu, Oborevwori, Dafinone, Waive and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The event also featured renewed calls for sustained grassroots engagement, improved access to employment, equitable distribution of development projects and stronger collaboration between government officials and community stakeholders.
The endorsements reflect the position announced by the participating youth leaders at the conference ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
