By Senator Ede Dafinone
Introduction: The Logic of State Creation:
The agitation for the creation of a new state where our people are dominant is a legitimate, noble, and deeply strategic quest. A Urhobo new state, no doubt, will bring governance closer to the grassroots, ensure equitable federal representation, guarantee greater indigenous control over local resources, and ultimately accelerate the socio-economic development of our people.
During the current constitutional review sessions, nearly every distinguished senator has raised a hand to demand a new state for their senatorial districts. However, we must confront reality: many of these agitations are executed merely to “fulfil all righteousness”—casual gestures designed to appease home audiences without any technical or political substance. If we are to separate ourselves from this uncoordinated crowd and command the serious attention of the Presidency and the National Assembly, the Urhobo Nation must approach this mission not as an emotional exercise, but as a rigorous, high-stakes diplomatic and technocratic project.
From Ethnicity To Inclusivity: The Strategic Transition To Ethiope State:
When proponents of this movement first consulted me, I offered a fundamental piece of political advice regarding the nomenclature of the proposed state. Championing a project under the explicit banner of an “Urhobo State” introduces immediate geopolitical and ethnic friction. Historically, the federal government is highly resistant to creating states based purely on singular ethnic identities, as it poses risks to regional harmony.
To circumvent this barrier, we must adopt an inclusive framework that accommodates non-indigenous residents, investors, and neighbouring interests within our territory. Through deliberate strategic counseling, the initial proposal has evolved from “Urhobo State” to Ethiope State. While the general public may still refer to it as an Urhobo State out of shared cultural pride, the official, legally viable proposal before the legislature is for the creation of Ethiope State. This adjustment is necessary to project a modern, cosmopolitan, and institutionally acceptable agenda to national deciders in Abuja, and I was instrumental to this change.
The Power Of Broad-Based Coalition: Leaving No One Behind!
State creation cannot be treated as a localised, factional, or personal agenda. Upon examining the initial delegation led by Chief Christopher Ominimini and Chief Wilson Omene, I observed that their working list of 60 to 70 stakeholders completely omitted representation from three vital Local Government Areas in Delta Central. A house divided or incomplete cannot stand before the National Assembly. This was a major flaw; I requested that these omissions be corrected.
We must recall the history of our previous struggles. Past attempts to champion the Urhobo cause were not driven by isolated groups; they were led by an absolute constellation of Urhobo power. That machinery included our revered traditional rulers, eminent judges, senior academics, captains of industry, seasoned technocrats, and retired military generals—names that instantly reverberated in the corridors of power in Abuja. These elements were completely missing this time around, that too made me worry about the process.
Therefore, I also counseled that for the Ethiope State project to succeed, the current promoters must expand their tent with a broad-based consultation of critical stakeholders. I equally enjoined them to serve as an efficient engine room while actively stepping down personal interest, and while inviting our heavyweights from across all fields of human endeavour to lead the charge. The intention is that, when the Urhobo Nation speaks on the national stage, the federal government must see a unified, heavyweight coalition that leaves absolutely no doubt about our collective resolve. Regrettably, the promoters also ignored this strategic advice.
Omission Of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s Leadership:
A fundamental flaw in the agitation for the Creation of Ethiope State was the failure to engage and involve the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. As the state’s political leader and the number one Urhobo political leader, his exclusion was a critical error. The governor possesses the resources, influence, and political networks necessary to legitimise and drive this movement. His involvement is crucial, as the state-creation process begins at the National Assembly, which requires the backing of the State House of Assembly—which he can influence—and relies on his ability to lobby fellow governors across the country for support, yet the proponents fail to reach out to the governor.
Beyond the executive branch, the proponents neglected to consult other vital pillars of the Urhobo Nation. The agitation completely bypassed academia, the intelligentsia, the judiciary, and various other critical stakeholders. By failing to build a broad-based consensus across these intellectual and legal sectors, the movement lacked the institutional depth and collective ownership required for such a monumental constitutional task.
Partisan Politicisation and Weaponisation:
The movement was heavily undermined by narrow partisanship; the drivers of the Ethiope State creation were very few APC stakeholders who monopolised the agenda and treated it as an exclusive party project. An Urhobo state must be created for all citizens, not just members of a single political party. Furthermore, going into party primaries, proponents of the Urhobo State weaponised the issue to attack opponents, questioning their patriotism while promoting specific candidates and their agenda. This partisan agenda became obvious when the agitation completely fizzled out immediately after those preferred candidates lost their primaries, proving the movement was merely a tool for personal political ambition.
Technical Deficit: Moving Beyond Empty Submissions:
Perhaps the most critical vulnerability of the current agitation led by Chief Christopher Ominimini and Dr Wilson Omene is the severe lack of rigorous documentation. The delegation presented a state-creation proposal that had passed through the House of Representatives via Hon. Etanenbene, which was a mere three pages long.
If you want to start a private company or a local radio station, your business proposal to your bankers and shareholders will easily span 50 pages. How then can we expect to birth a sovereign sub-national government with a three-page document? Who will take you seriously?
A serious demand for state creation must be backed by a comprehensive, data-driven master plan of at least 100 to 300 pages. This document must meticulously articulate:
Economic Viability: Granular analyses of our internally generated revenue (IGR) potential, including oil, gas, and agricultural assets.
Demographics and Geography: Thorough population studies, land-use maps, and infrastructural audits (power, roads, and waterways).
SWOT Analysis: A transparent evaluation of the new state’s structural strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Furthermore, the promoters confessed to not having studied the extensive documentation from previous state-creation struggles led by our ancestors. We cannot reinvent the wheel; we must salvage that historical data, upgrade it with modern economic realities, and back it with the signatures of Urhobo elders from every clan.
Conclusion: Purpose Over Personality:
The creation of Ethiope State is an achievable dream, but it demands that we abandon the pursuit of personal fame and vanity. This project must not be reduced to a tool for individuals wishing to be recorded in history as the sole “creators” of the state.
No society can thrive when critical issues of ethnic development and self-determination are weaponised for short-term political gain. Moving forward, the Urhobo Nation must learn to draw a clear line between partisan politics and genuine national interest. True progress requires supporting policies and programs that put the collective interest first, completely independent of political affiliations. Every forward-thinking Urhobo should adopt this mindset to foster meaningful development.
My philosophy remains constant: the job must be done thoroughly, professionally, and collectively. I do not care who takes the glory, provided the Urhobo Nation secures the mandate. Let us return to the drawing board, build an all-inclusive stakeholders’ coalition, compile an unassailable technical dossier, and present a formidable, unified front to the Federal Republic.
Senator Ede Omueya Dafinone,
Delta Central Senatorial District.