Senior Political Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, has expressed confidence that the Urhobo nation will overwhelmingly support Senator Ede Dafinone’s re-election bid in 2027, insisting that the emergence of both the governor and the senator from the Okpe ethnic nationality should not be a source of political division.
Aguariavwodo also criticised former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and other opposition candidates, alleging that they had little to offer voters beyond invoking the names of their political leaders.
The former senator made the remarks during a strategic meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpare Ward, held at his residence in Okpare-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Addressing party leaders and stakeholders, Aguariavwodo maintained that the Urhobo nation remained united and indivisible, arguing that objections to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Dafinone occupying the governorship and Delta Central senatorial seats because they are both from Okpe were misplaced.
To support his argument, he cited the political history of the state, recalling that former Governor James Ibori and the late Senator Felix Ibru held prominent political offices at the same time without similar controversies.
“Not long ago, Chief James Ibori was Governor of the State. Ibori is from Oghara in Urhobo land. Not long ago, former Governor Felix Ibru was a Senator, and he is from Agbarha-Otor,” Aguariavwodo said.
He argued that the precedent demonstrated that the emergence of political officeholders from the same Urhobo subgroup should not be allowed to create unnecessary divisions within the ethnic nationality.
According to him, the Urhobo people have accepted the arrangement under which Okpe produces both the governor and the senator representing Delta Central.
“At the same time, both Ibori and Felix were occupying positions, and we still said Urhobo OvuOvo. Now Urhobo have resolved that Okpe producing the Governor and Senator is a good thing. The Urhobo nation will vote massively for Dafinone,” he declared.
Aguariavwodo also expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori, Senator Dafinone and other APC candidates would enjoy widespread support across Delta State and beyond in the 2027 general elections.
APC Stakeholders Adopt Tinubu, Oborevwori, Dafinone, Others
A major highlight of the meeting was the unanimous adoption of APC candidates across all elective positions, from the presidency to the Delta State House of Assembly.
The motion for the adoption was moved by the immediate past Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Hon. Dr Richard Kofi, and seconded by Engr. Quincy Tebite. It was subsequently endorsed through a voice vote by party members present.
The meeting brought together APC leaders, stakeholders and grassroots mobilisers to deliberate on strengthening the party’s ward structures, promoting internal cohesion and coordinating mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.
Among those in attendance was the APC candidate for Ughelli South Constituency II in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Ricardo Oghenero Oguma, JP, alongside the Executive Director, Projects, of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu.
Other prominent stakeholders present included Chief Williams Alu, Prof. Egedegbe, Mr. Ochuko Omorere, Mr. Felix Emumejaye, Atiku Julius, Chief Mike Okor, Comrade Okiemute Otoka, Hon. Kesiena Itihwe, Chief Patrick Ogigbah and Comrade Kingsley Eboh.
Okpare Ward comprises Okpare-Olomu, Oguname-Olomu, Ophori-Olomu and Ophorigbala-Olomu communities.
The meeting ended with party leaders and stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to grassroots mobilisation, party unity and the strengthening of APC structures across Okpare Ward and Ughelli South Constituency II ahead of the 2027 general elections.
