2027: Aguariavwodo Predicts Massive Urhobo Support For Dafinone

……. _Says Omo-Agege, Opposition Candidates Have Nothing To Offer_

The Senior Political Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, has predicted massive support for Senator Ede Dafinone’s re-election bid in 2027, declaring that the Urhobo nation will not allow ethnic sentiments to undermine its political interests.

Aguariavwodo, a former senator, dismissed arguments that the Okpe ethnic nationality should not produce both the governor of Delta State and the senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, describing such objections as misplaced and capable of creating unnecessary divisions within the Urhobo nation.

He 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 governor’s aide spoke 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, stakeholders and grassroots mobilisers, Aguariavwodo insisted that the Urhobo nation remained united, arguing that the emergence of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Dafinone from Okpe should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a source of controversy.

Drawing from his experience in the Senate, he cited the political history of former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, and the late Senator Felix Ibru, arguing that the simultaneous occupation of prominent political offices by people from the same Urhobo subgroup had previously generated no comparable opposition.

“Not long ago, Chief James Ibori was Governor of the State. Ibori is from Oghara in Urhobo land. In Urhobo land, Oghara people are from Agbarha-Otor. Not long ago, former Governor Felix Ibru was a Senator, and he is from Agbarha-Otor,” he said.

According to him, the precedent underscores the need for Urhobo people to prioritise collective interests over arguments about which community should occupy a particular political office.

“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,” Aguariavwodo declared.

He expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori, Senator Dafinone and other APC candidates would receive widespread support across Delta State in the 2027 general elections.

Aguariavwodo’s declaration came as APC leaders and stakeholders in Okpare Ward unanimously adopted the party’s candidates for all elective positions, from the presidency to the Delta State House of Assembly.

The adoption followed a motion moved by the immediate past Chairman of Ughelli South Local Government Area, Hon. Dr Richard Kofi, and seconded by Engr. Quincy Tebite. The motion was subsequently endorsed through a voice vote.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for party members to discuss strategies for strengthening the APC’s ward structures, promoting internal cohesion and coordinating grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Among those present were the APC candidate for Ughelli South Constituency II in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Ricardo Oghenero Oguma, JP, and the Executive Director, Projects, of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu.

Other prominent party leaders and stakeholders in attendance 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 stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the APC’s grassroots structures and intensifying mobilisation efforts across Okpare Ward and Ughelli South Constituency II ahead of the 2027 general elections.