Delta Central 2023: Why Ede Dafinone’s Candidacy Matters Now

By Onome Akpososo,

In a recent video that has since gone viral, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State was seen admonishing PDP members to change their adulterous ways or be swept away by the tidal wave of political tsunami that is building up. He admitted that the future of our politics in this country is changing. “I don’t know whether you are closely watching what is going on: the level of disenchantment with the existing political parties…’’ Obaseki’s view is that the people have moved away from the level of ‘party is supreme’ to the ‘credibility of the candidate’. This is the reason why the candidacy of Chief Ede Dafinone matters in the politics of Delta Central ahead of 2023.

There is a burning desire by Nigerians to see a turnaround in the country. There is an urgent expectation for a new dawn to manifest in Nigeria without delay to give Nigerians a new lease of life. People are fed up with the status quo. Any political platform that could guarantee the desired rebirth becomes the centre of attraction. As it were, Nigerians have seemingly suffered untold hardship, pain and anguish brought by selfish and greedy politicians. The political and economic system has not fared well. Long suffering is a norm in Nigeria as people bear the burden of misrule. The virtue of patience has been overstretched beyond the limit and this is understandable. The likes of Chief Ighoyota Amori of the PDP, who prides himself on having been in the political arena since 1999 are the reasons for the anguish and rage resonating in the streets of Nigeria today. That is one of the reasons why the candidacy of Chief Ede Dafinone matters.

The people are desirous of a complete change from the old faces and war horses who have not represented their interests. Nigeria has been on a ruinous path that only conscientious, patriotic and committed leaders like Dafinone could reverse. For the 16 years rule under the watch of the PDP where Amori and his gang were in supreme control of sundry aspects of the people’s lives, rather than see good governance, the people saw unthinkable sleaze and utter plunder and despoliation of the country. Today Amori boasts of having served Urhobo well. One wonders which aspect of Urhobo expectations the man has met that could guarantee being voted to occupy Urhobo’s only seat in Abuja. He may have served PDP well but not Urhobo.

What the people are clamouring for are men with a rich credibility account. The good country Nigerians desire is only achievable with committed leaders at the centre helping the executive to marshal good governance across the states of the federation. The PDP gang of looters may be comfortable with Chief Ighoyota Amori but not the ordinary man on the street. The blind PDP irritants may continue to delude themselves as promoting a brand worthy of Urhobo honour under the auspices of ‘Bring Back Amori’ as it were. The promoters of this demented and ignoble campaign argue that under his watch, many of them got appointments and so wanted him back even if that could guarantee festering corruption and legislative lethargy. What an irony of fate!

The desire for a new and credible alternative was what brought Senator Ovie Omo-Agege into the picture in 2015. Urhobo has tasted of the fresh dew of responsible representation and the bridge burnt so that a return to Egypt is no longer desirable. Those trying to erect some evil concoction towards creating a window for the likes of Ighoyota Amori to stage a come-back are the problems Urhobo would be fighting to check in 2023.

The track record of the key senatorial candidates speaks for them. Urhobo knows who is who. As such, no amount of shenanigan will divert the mind of the people who are focused on reinforcing the unparalleled representation of Delta central in the senate since the coming of Ovie Omo-Agege. Going back to Egypt is out of the question. The only way to build on the excellent performance of the Deputy Senate President is by electing Chief Ede Dafinone. He is the candidate that matters now. Those faces that remind us of our despicable past should never be seen on the political scene, not anymore.

Urhobo people are angry, no doubt. They are angry that after his ruinous political escapades over the years, Chief Ighoyota Amori could still nurse the ambition of seeking votes from those his brand of politics has locked up in the cocoon of frustration and angst. I strongly believe that the people are sufficiently angry, with the kind of rage that morphs into revolutionary activism capable of overthrowing an immoral and asphyxiating status quo. Suffice it to say that perceptive political actors, like Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, are already seeing the signs that the mood of Nigerians may not be inclined to the business-as-usual political humdrum. Things have changed. The people are demanding credible leadership. And that is why Ede Dafinone’s candidacy for Delta Central senatorial district matters now.

Onome Akpososo is from Effurun-Otor, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state