The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, Senator Ede Dafinone, has called on Urhobo leaders across the board to be more united in order to speak with one voice on issues affecting the Urhobo Nation.
The Delta Central lawmaker decried the current situation in Urhobo leadership, where the Nation no longer stands shoulder to shoulder with its peers in the comity of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. He noted that the Urhobo Nation has sadly lost its voice in national discourse and stressed the urgent need to redirect and refocus Urhobo leadership toward building a more vocal and united front.
Senator Dafinone also urged Urhobo people nationwide to cease what he termed the "Pull-Him-Down Syndrome" often directed toward Urhobo political and economic champions. He emphasised the need for unity to effectively harness Urhobo strength for the socio-economic development of the Urhobo Nation.
Dafinone made this statement on Monday, July 28, 2025, in a landmark keynote address at the inaugural Urhobo Leadership Series. The event, organised by the Urhobo Consultative Forum (UCF), was themed "Redefining Public Service and Accountability: Reflections on Senator Ede Dafinone's Representation."
In his address, Dafinone highlighted ongoing discussions regarding the creation of a new Urhobo state, referencing the Ethiope State creation movement. He disclosed that he had engaged in several meetings with groups advocating for the creation of the new state from the present Delta State. However, he noted a lack of comprehensive consultation, engagement, and involvement from all Urhobo leadership structures in the discourse surrounding state creation.
He shared his participation in a constitutional amendment public hearing in Bayelsa, where he voiced support for Hon. Ben Etanebena's efforts to include Ethiope State in Nigeria’s federal structure. Dafinone raised concerns about the previous lack of support for Urhobo state advocates and stressed the need for a collaborative effort among Urhobo leadership to consider the merits and implications of creating Ethiope State versus maintaining existing structures.
Dafinone addressed the urgent need for strong leadership within the Urhobo community, kingdom, and the Urhobo Nation at large, lamenting the absence of a collective point of reference or rallying figure—a role once played by the UPU in Urhobo leadership.
He referenced a recent tragic incident where 17 soldiers were killed in Okuama, stressing the importance of ensuring that the remaining detained indigenes of Okuama are either freed or given a fair chance to defend themselves. He decried the decline of the Urhobo voice and influence among the comity of ethnic nationalities and emphasised the need for the Urhobo Nation to rejig its strategies and forge a united leadership—devoid of personal agendas—that can boldly advocate for Urhobo national interests.
The Senator underscored the critical role of the Urhobo Consultative Forum, the Urhobo Progress Union, and other Urhobo progressive groups in fostering open dialogue and leadership among the Urhobo people. He implored leaders to set aside divisions and adopt a collaborative approach, leveraging the skills and influence of notable Urhobo figures across sectors to advocate for what rightly belongs to the Urhobo people.
Dafinone specifically identified the “Pull-Him-Down Syndrome” as a major obstacle to effective and responsive leadership in Urhoboland, describing it as a pervasive issue where individuals undermine one another rather than uplift their community. He revealed that he has faced sustained media attacks attributed to a few individuals in the past six months and urged those behind such acts to focus on advancing their own initiatives instead of tearing down fellow Urhobos.
“As champions in our community, we must stand together. If we continue to undermine one another, we risk losing our place at the table when it comes to the distribution of Nigeria's resources,” he stated.
He also pointed out the lack of support among Urhobo individuals and groups, mentioning that he hosts monthly ‘meet-and-greet’ sessions in Abuja to connect Urhobo leaders and strengthen their influence in government. However, the common feedback he receives is that Urhobo people lack mutual support.
Senator Dafinone further stated, “There is no reason why we cannot help ourselves as Urhobos. Human capital development is my priority—that is, uplifting as many Urhobo people as possible through employment, promotion, contracts, and skill acquisition to raise the Urhobo Nation to a higher level than I found it.”
On cultural preservation, Dafinone acknowledged the decline of the Urhobo language and culture over time, admitting that he himself does not speak Urhobo fluently. He shared that he had initiated an Urhobo language competition to promote learning and engagement with the language among younger generations.
On his part, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for UCF, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, highlighted the urgent need for leadership within the Urhobo Nation. He advocated for the UCF and other groups to spearhead collective efforts aimed at fostering effective leadership and governance in Urhoboland.
Ogbodo emphasised that the Urhobo people must prioritise presenting their best candidates for leadership roles to ensure they can effectively leverage available resources for the benefit of their communities.
Chief Richard Iyede, Vice Chairman of the UCF Board of Trustees, welcomed participants and reiterated the forum’s dedication to promoting cultural preservation and cohesive development across Urhoboland through initiatives like the 'ARISE' programme.
The Urhobo Leadership Series serves as a vital platform for dialogue aimed at advancing Urhobo unity and fostering progress amid the socio-political and economic challenges confronting the Urhobo Nation. The virtual event attracted over 160 Urhobo leaders, professionals, youths, and women from Nigeria, Europe, America, and Canada.
