A political advocacy group, Delta Central Mandate 2027, has challenged All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Olorogun O’tega Emerhor to formally declare his senatorial ambition and contest in an open primary against the incumbent lawmaker, Senator Ede Dafinone.
The group made this known in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its President, Chief Julius Utake, and Secretary, Kingsley Awin, amid reports that the Emerhor Political Forum (EPF) has been mounting pressure on Dafinone to step aside ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the group, any aspirant with genuine popularity should be willing to test such support through a transparent electoral process rather than resorting to indirect means.
“Popular aspirants do not beg others to step down,” the statement read. “If Olorogun Emerhor believes he has the support, he should come into the open and test it rather than relying on indirect pressure.”
The group described the reported agitation by the EPF as misplaced, arguing that political relevance must be built on grassroots acceptance rather than backroom negotiations.
It further questioned Emerhor’s political track record, citing what it described as poor electoral performance in previous contests, including the 2023 governorship election in his Evwreni Ward.
The statement also called on the APC stalwart to address the lingering communal crisis in Evwreni, which it said has led to deaths and displacement of residents since 2020.
“Leadership begins at the community level,” the group stated, while also raising concerns over Emerhor’s level of participation in the 2023 electoral cycle, noting that he did not purchase nomination forms for any elective position.
In addition, the group revisited Emerhor’s past electoral outings, including the 2013 senatorial by-election and the 2015 governorship race, which it described as underwhelming due to what it termed internal political contradictions.
Reaffirming its support for Senator Dafinone, the group said the lawmaker remains focused on his legislative responsibilities and would not be distracted by what it called “uncoordinated political noise.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither Olorogun Emerhor nor the Emerhor Political Forum had responded to the allegations.
