A political advocacy group under the banner of Delta Central Mandate 2027 has publicly challenged All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Olorogun O’tega Emerhor to formally declare his intention to contest the Delta Central senatorial seat and subject himself to an open primary election against incumbent lawmaker Ede Dafinone ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group’s position comes amid growing political tension within the APC in Delta Central, following reports that a political bloc aligned with Emerhor—the Emerhor Political Forum (EPF)—has been mounting pressure on Senator Dafinone to step aside for a potential challenge in the next electoral cycle.
In a statement released on Sunday and jointly signed by its President, Chief Julius Utake, and Secretary, Kingsley Awin, the advocacy group criticised what it described as indirect political manoeuvres aimed at influencing the party’s internal process.
“Popular aspirants do not beg others to step down,” the statement read. “If Olorogun Emerhor believes he commands the necessary support across Delta Central, he should come forward, declare his ambition, and test that support through a transparent and democratic primary process.”
The group described the reported calls for Dafinone to withdraw from a potential re-election bid as “misplaced” and “sentimental,” arguing that leadership positions within a democratic system must be earned through grassroots mobilisation and open competition rather than behind-the-scenes negotiations.
According to Delta Central Mandate 2027, any attempt to sideline an incumbent without due process risks undermining the democratic values of the party and alienating supporters who expect fairness and inclusiveness in candidate selection.
The statement also raised broader concerns about political accountability and performance, turning its attention to Emerhor’s track record in previous elections and his influence within his local constituency.
Specifically, the group referenced allegations of poor electoral outcomes during the 2023 governorship election in Evwreni Ward, suggesting that such results call into question Emerhor’s ability to mobilise support effectively at the grassroots level.
Beyond electoral performance, the group urged the APC stalwart to address ongoing socio-political challenges within his immediate community, particularly the prolonged communal crisis in Evwreni, which has reportedly persisted since 2020 and resulted in loss of lives and displacement of residents.
“Leadership begins at the community level,” the statement noted, adding that individuals seeking higher office should demonstrate tangible commitment to resolving local issues before pursuing broader political ambitions.
The group also questioned Emerhor’s level of participation in the 2023 electoral cycle, pointing out that he did not purchase nomination forms for any elective office during that period. It suggested that this absence from the ballot raised concerns about consistency and long-term political strategy.
Further scrutiny was directed at Emerhor’s past electoral outings, including the 2013 senatorial by-election and the 2015 Delta State governorship election, both of which the group described as “underwhelming” in terms of outcomes.
According to the statement, these past results reflect “internal political contradictions” and a lack of sustained political momentum, factors the group believes should be considered by party members when evaluating potential candidates for future contests.
Despite its criticisms of Emerhor and his supporters, Delta Central Mandate 2027 reiterated its support for Senator Dafinone, describing him as focused and committed to his legislative responsibilities.
The group maintained that the incumbent lawmaker remains undistracted by what it termed “uncoordinated political noise,” and is instead concentrating on delivering effective representation to constituents in Delta Central.
Political observers note that the unfolding situation highlights early jostling for positions ahead of the 2027 elections, with various factions within parties beginning to test their influence and consolidate support bases.
The APC in Delta State, like many political parties across Nigeria, is expected to witness increased internal competition as aspirants position themselves for nominations in key constituencies. Analysts suggest that how such contests are managed could significantly impact party unity and electoral performance.
Efforts to obtain reactions from Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and representatives of the Emerhor Political Forum were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. Neither the APC leadership in the state nor Senator Ede Dafinone had issued an official response to the development.
As political activities gradually intensify ahead of 2027, stakeholders within Delta Central are expected to continue engaging in consultations, alliances, and public advocacy, all of which will shape the eventual lineup of candidates for the senatorial race.
For now, the call by Delta Central Mandate 2027 for an open and transparent primary underscores growing demand among party members and observers for fairness, accountability, and grassroots participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.
