Seven out of the eight local government chairmen in Delta Central attended the session, with only the chairman of Ethiope West Local Government Area absent due to prior commitments. The district encompasses Ethiope East, Ethiope West, Okpe, Sapele, Udu, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Uvwie local government areas, predominantly inhabited by the Urhobo ethnic group and known for its oil-rich terrain, agricultural potential, and urban centers like Warri and Sapele.
The gathering comes in the wake of significant political realignments in Delta State, particularly within the APC. Following the full defection of key Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structures—including former local government chairmen and council officials—to the APC in recent months, the party has rapidly expanded its grassroots presence at the council level. Previously, the APC in Delta lacked substantial local leadership structures, relying heavily on federal appointees and select state-level figures. This shift has transformed the party's organizational footprint, positioning it as a more formidable force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources close to the meeting indicated that Senator Dafinone deemed the engagement timely and essential. As the district's representative in the Senate, he sought to personally introduce himself formally to the newly aligned chairmen, establish rapport, and outline a framework for mutual support. The discussions transcended mere political introductions, focusing instead on actionable collaboration. Key agenda items included identifying priority areas for joint intervention, such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic empowerment projects that require federal facilitation through constituency interventions, zonal allocations, or national budgetary provisions.
A central theme of the deliberations was ensuring that the "dividends of democracy" reach ordinary citizens in Delta Central communities. Participants highlighted persistent challenges like poor road networks, gully erosion, flooding in riverine areas, inadequate healthcare facilities, youth unemployment, and limited access to federal empowerment programs. Senator Dafinone reportedly assured the chairmen of his commitment to bridging gaps between local needs and available federal resources. He emphasized proactive advocacy in the Senate for projects that align with grassroots priorities, including ecological interventions, skill acquisition initiatives, and infrastructure upgrades.
The senator further pledged close coordination with Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to harmonize state and federal efforts. This alignment is seen as crucial in a state where the governor—now aligned with the APC through strategic partnerships—controls significant resources for local government development. By channeling council-identified needs into state-federal synergies, the parties aim to avoid duplication, maximize impact, and deliver tangible results that strengthen the APC's standing among constituents.
The meeting was personally initiated and coordinated by Senator Dafinone in response to growing constituent demands for direct interface with their National Assembly representative. Many residents and party faithful had expressed the need for more regular, structured engagements to address local concerns and track progress on promised interventions. The senator's office has been proactive in recent months, sponsoring medical outreaches, commissioning ICT centers in secondary schools, advocating for erosion control measures, and facilitating empowerment programs across the district.
Attendees described the atmosphere as constructive, cordial, and forward-looking. Discussions reflected a shared recognition that sustainable development in Delta Central hinges on effective multi-level governance cooperation. Political observers interpret the session as a deliberate step toward institutionalizing coordination mechanisms, with Senator Dafinone emerging as a key bridge-builder between local councils, the state executive, and federal institutions.
Senator Dafinone, a chartered accountant and first-term legislator sworn in following the 2023 elections (upheld by the Appeal Court in November 2023), has built a reputation for quiet but impactful representation. Serving as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance and a member of other key panels, he has sponsored motions on critical issues like herdsmen-farmer conflicts in Delta Central, road infrastructure deficits, and gully erosion threats. His background—born into the prominent Dafinone family, with his late father Chief (Senator) David Dafinone holding a Guinness World Record for family members in chartered accountancy—lends him credibility in both professional and political circles.
The engagement aligns with broader APC strategies in Delta State, where unity calls have intensified. Recent events, including end-of-year luncheons hosted by Dafinone in December 2025 and high-level stakeholder meetings at venues like the Petroleum Training Institute in Effurun, have emphasized party cohesion, support for President Bola Tinubu's reforms, and backing for Governor Oborevwori. Local government APC chairmen have repeatedly pledged maximum electoral support for 2027, viewing the party's federal-state alignment as a pathway to greater influence and development dividends.
As Delta Central APC consolidates its gains, this meeting signals a maturing phase in the party's evolution—from opposition roots to a structured entity capable of delivering governance at multiple levels. With 2027 elections on the horizon, such proactive outreach is expected to enhance voter mobilization, project execution, and overall party performance in what remains a competitive political landscape in Delta State.
Observers anticipate follow-up actions, including joint monitoring committees, regular interface sessions, and targeted advocacy for constituency projects in the 2026 budget cycle. For the people of Delta Central, the ultimate measure of success will be visible improvements in daily life, underscoring the value of collaborative governance across tiers.
