By all standards of fair political engagement, Mr. Godwin Anaughe’s piece laden with conjectures, alarmism, and selective memory reads less like a thoughtful intervention and more like a desperate attempt to halt an inevitable tide.
That tide is the rising acceptance, credibility, and performance-driven appeal of Senator Ede Dafinone across Delta Central. To recast this organic growth as “panic” within the ranks of the APC is not only misleading; it is an insult to the intelligence of Urhobo people who can distinguish propaganda from performance.
Let us begin by dismantling the central thesis of Anaughe’s argument: that there is a “panic declaration” engineered by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Nothing could be further from the truth. Political declarations, endorsements, and mobilizations are part of democratic culture. They are neither new nor sinister. What appears to unsettle Omo-Agege and his camp is not the process, but the person at the center of it Dafinone, whose calm, methodical, and people-oriented approach to leadership stands in stark contrast to the combative, self-promoting, and often divisive style of Ovie Omo-Agege.
For a first-time Senator, Ede Dafinone has demonstrated a level of focus and legislative commitment that deserves recognition rather than ridicule. Within a relatively short period, he has sponsored and supported bills that address fiscal responsibility, economic reform, and regional development, areas critical to both national growth and the Niger Delta’s long-term stability. His interventions in debates on revenue allocation, oil sector accountability, and infrastructure financing show a lawmaker who understands not just politics, but policy.
Beyond the Senate chamber, Dafinone has maintained consistent engagement with his constituents. From facilitating empowerment programs to advocating federal presence in underserved communities across Delta Central, he has proven that representation is not about noise but about impact. His avowed commitment to advancing the Urhobo cause in the Senate is not expressed through grandstanding, but through deliberate legislative advocacy and strategic alliances.
Contrast this with the narrative that attempts to portray him as “silent.” Silence, in this context, is clearly being mistaken for seriousness. Not every effective leader must dominate headlines daily. Some choose to work quietly and deliver results, an approach that has earned Dafinone respect across political divides.
Anaughe’s glorification of Omo-Agege as an indispensable “general” who commands organic loyalty is, at best, exaggerated. Yes, Omo-Agege has had his moments in the Senate, particularly during his tenure as Deputy Senate President. But leadership is not a lifetime entitlement. It must evolve, adapt, and most importantly, unify.
What we see instead is a pattern of over-ambition and political entitlement. Omo-Agege’s brand of politics marked by boastfulness, self-aggrandizement, and a tendency to frame every contest as a personal battle, has alienated not just opponents but also key stakeholders within his own party. His failure to participate in party congresses, for instance, is not a minor oversight; it is a direct affront to the internal democratic processes that sustain the APC. Party structures are not optional, they are the backbone of legitimacy.
Equally troubling is his consistent disrespect for the sitting governor, who, by all political conventions, remains the leader of the party in the state. Disagreements are inevitable in politics, but they must be managed with decorum and strategic restraint. Public grandstanding and subtle acts of defiance only weaken the party’s cohesion.
One of the more curious claims in Anaughe’s piece is that Omo-Agege “sacrificed” his governorship ambition for party unity. This revisionist narrative ignores the political realities of Delta State. The 2023 elections were not lost because of lack of ambition; they were lost because of disconnect with the grassroots, internal divisions, and a campaign strategy that failed to resonate with a broad spectrum of voters. Rather than telling the voters what he would do if elected, he was busy attacking then governorship candidate of the PDP, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and then governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. The end result was his woeful failure at the polls.
To now recast a forced political recalibration as an altruistic gesture is disingenuous. True unity is not achieved by stepping aside with one eye on future leverage; it is built through collaboration, humility, and respect for collective decisions.
Perhaps the most ironic aspect of Anaughe’s argument is his criticism of an alleged “Okpe Agenda.” It is worth reminding readers that it was Omo-Agege himself who first introduced this narrative during the 2023 elections in a bid to undermine Governor Oborevwori’s candidacy. Knowing fully well that both Oborevwori and Dafinone hail from the same Okpe Kingdom, he sought to weaponize ethnic sentiment for political gain.
Today, that same narrative is being recycled, this time to discredit Dafinone. The inconsistency is glaring. You cannot invent a divisive agenda, deploy it for electoral advantage, and then turn around to condemn it when it no longer serves your interest.
In 2011, Ovie Omo-Agege from Orhomurun-Orogun, ran as Governorship candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, while his next door neighbour, Hon Friday Onojae from Ugono Orogun as House of Assembly candidate. Even in the 2023 election, as Governorship candidate of the APC, he made Hon Matthew Omonade, from Orogun, Candidate of the House of Assembly undermining the people of Agbarha, Ogor and Evwreni. Omo-Agege is being served with his own medicine.
The truth is that Delta Central is not defined by exclusionary politics. The Urhobo people, spread across multiple kingdoms and local government areas, have always valued inclusiveness and balance. Dafinone’s growing acceptance is not because of ethnic favoritism, but because he has demonstrated willingness to represent all segments of the district without bias.
Leadership style matters. In a region as politically sensitive as Delta Central, the ability to listen, build consensus, and act with measured judgment is invaluable. Dafinone embodies these qualities. His calm mien is not a weakness; it is a strength that fosters trust and stability.
On the other hand, Omo-Agege’s confrontational approach, often characterized by loud declarations and sweeping claims may energize a section of supporters, but it also creates unnecessary tension. Politics is not a battlefield where the loudest voice wins; it is a platform for negotiation, compromise, and service.
Anaughe’s warning that Dafinone’s candidacy could “destroy” the APC is both exaggerated and misplaced. Political parties are not built around individuals; they are sustained by structures, values, and collective effort. The APC in Delta State is bigger than any single figure, and its future is bright under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
If there is any real threat to party unity, it comes from actions that undermine internal processes, such as boycotting congresses, disregarding leadership, and framing every disagreement as a personal vendetta. Unity cannot be demanded; it must be cultivated.
Ultimately, the debate comes down to credibility. Who is better positioned to represent Delta Central in the Senate moving forward? A first-term senator who has shown commitment to legislative work, maintained respectful relationships within the party, and steadily built grassroots support? Or a former officeholder whose approach increasingly reflects impatience, entitlement, selfishness, a tendency to prioritize personal ambition over collective progress? The answer is becoming clearer with each passing day because the people will ultimately decide.
Political narratives can be crafted, distorted, and amplified, but they cannot override reality indefinitely. The people of Delta Central are discerning. They understand the difference between performance and propaganda, between service and self-promotion.
Senator Ede Dafinone’s rising acceptance is not a product of panic; it is the natural outcome of consistent work, humility, and a genuine commitment to the Urhobo cause. Attempts to frame his progress as a threat to the APC are not only unfounded, they are counterproductive.
As the 2027 political landscape begins to take shape, one thing is certain: the future of Delta Central will not be decided by the loudest voices or the most dramatic headlines, aimed at promoting violence and disunity. It will be determined by the quiet, peaceful, and steady judgment of the people and on that score, Dafinone stands on firm ground.