By Our Correspondent
After 27 years without distinct political representation, stakeholders in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have welcomed the restoration of the Ughelli South II State Constituency, describing the development as a major correction of a long-standing political anomaly.
The stakeholders particularly commended Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, and Hon. Francis Waive, member representing Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, for their contributions to the restoration process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently restored Ughelli South II, alongside Abraka and Isoko North II in Delta State and Yagba West II in Kogi State, following relevant court judgments.
INEC has scheduled September 19, 2026, for elections into the restored constituencies, while political party primaries are expected to hold between August 21 and 25.
The restoration marks the return of direct representation to communities in Ughelli South II that have been without a separate seat in the Delta State House of Assembly since 1999.
Reacting to the development, Coordinator of the Niger Delta Peace Coalition, Zik Gbemre, specifically commended Senator Dafinone for his role in advancing the cause.
“Ughelli South has Senator Ede Dafinone to thank for championing the cause with connection and financial support before anyone else,” Gbemre said.
Former Leader of the Ughelli South Local Government Legislature, Chief Sunny Apah, also acknowledged the contributions of several stakeholders to the restoration effort.
Apah recognised the roles played by Chief John Oguma, Hon. Francis Waive and the Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Council, Dr. Lucky Avweromre, among others.
His commendation reflected the broader recognition of political and community stakeholders who have worked towards addressing what they described as a long-standing representational imbalance in the area.
APC chieftain, Olorogun Adelabu Bodjor, described the restoration as “good and a huge relief to the people of Ughelli South in general.”
According to Bodjor, the development had “corrected the anomaly” created by the previous political arrangement.
He also commended the Ughelli South political class and Senator Dafinone for their efforts, expressing optimism that the September 19 election would produce “vibrant representatives” capable of effectively representing the people.
The incumbent representative of Ughelli South State Constituency, Hon. Festus Utuama, also welcomed the restoration, saying it would reduce the legislative burden previously borne by a single representative.
“The restoration of our Second Constituency is indeed welcome news to our people. A burden previously carried by one representative will now be shared by two and there can be no better relief than this,” Utuama said.
Under the new arrangement, Utuama is expected to represent Ughelli South I from September 19, while voters in Ughelli South II will elect their own representative to the Delta State House of Assembly.
With the restoration now formally recognised by INEC, political attention has shifted to the parties and prospective candidates ahead of the September 19 poll.
For residents and stakeholders, however, the significance of the development extends beyond the forthcoming election. They regard the restoration of Ughelli South II as the return of democratic representation to communities that have been without a distinct State Assembly constituency for 27 years.
The stakeholders also expressed appreciation to Senator Dafinone, Hon. Waive and other political and community actors whose efforts, they said, contributed to achieving the long-awaited restoration.
