By Dr. N.M. Darigho Odedede
Considering the potpourri of goodwill messages and felicitations that greeted the 64th birthday anniversary of Senator Ede Dafinone across various media platforms on the 10th of April, 2026, one can easily conclude that servant leadership is the best form of leadership that appeals to the collective conscience of the people. No doubt, Senator Dafinone's open-door policy resonates among the majority of the good people of Delta Central, and it seems obvious that his constituents have been waiting for an ample opportunity to reciprocate his servant leadership posture and to celebrate him for the good works he has done so far since his inception as senator representing Delta Central. Eminent leaders of the Delta APC across the board enthusiastically used the occasion to shower their encomiums and birthday wishes on the senator. Many supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State also seized the occasion of the senator's birthday to drum up support for his return to the Senate come 2027. This is a big lesson to many elected political officeholders and a clear testament to the fact that the popularity of any politician is a function of a favorable public appraisal. When you are elected to represent the people, you must brace up to serve the people with diligence and open-mindedness because the people might just be watching.
In the course of the senator's birthday felicitations and wishes, there were many captions that were deployed by the media to describe what the senator has done for Delta Central since assuming office. However, one caption published in Vanguard Newspaper that stole the show was "At 64, the Urhobo Nation's voice grew stronger at the central stage through you." This must have come from careful observation and thorough assessment of the senator's performance by the people of the senatorial district. Indubitably, the way and manner Senator Dafinone has demonstrated his passion and commitment to the Urhobo cause at every slightest opportunity did not go unnoticed these past three years by the people. It is therefore safe to deduce that Senator Dafinone came prepared to serve the people of Delta Central, while the penchant for the Urhobo Nation forms the flagship of his senatorial representation of the district at the National Assembly.
The Urhobo nation is notable for the abundance of qualified professionals from all walks of life. At the national level, it is therefore recommended that the best among her people should be elected to serve at the top level of government. In Senator Ede Dafinone, the people of Delta Central found a square peg in a square hole. I could remember vividly while watching one of the Senate's Committee on Public Accounts meetings on Channels TV. Senator Dafinone, being a world-class chartered accountant of repute, showed uncommon dexterity in his analysis and presentation of the subject matter, much to the applause of his colleagues. The Senate Committee on Public Accounts is critically important for upholding financial accountability, transparency, and prudence in government spending. It therefore functions as a crucial watchdog over the use of public funds by ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). One of its core responsibilities is anchored on oversight and review of audit reports from the auditor-general's office to ensure compliance with financial laws, recover misused funds, and combat corruption. The committee, therefore, holds public officers accountable for wasteful expenditures. Senator Dafinone utilized the opportunity of that committee's meeting to elucidate practical measures required for proper oversight on public expenditure of government money.
While we are approaching another election campaign season where various political parties in the country would be conducting their primaries to determine their candidates in the 2027 general elections, the consciousness of the people of Delta Central and the Urhobo Nation must be awoken once again. Senator Ede Dafinone has proven within three years in the Senate that he can always be trusted and that he holds the mandate of the people so sacred, and he is ever committed and poised to work more for the development and upliftment of the Urhobo Nation. Thus, it is instructive that the people of Delta Central rally around Senator Ede Dafinone for a return to the Senate in 2027 to consolidate and accomplish his strategic agenda for the development of the senatorial district. It is also very critical that the people of Delta Central become wary of the shenanigans and usual divisive propanganda of certain career politicians within the senatorial district. To be elected as a political officeholder is not the exclusive preserve of any politician; rather, it is a privilege bequeathed by the electorate on such an officeholder as a caretaker of the people's mandate.
Senator Ede Dafinone has kept his part of the social contract he entered with the Delta Central people even at a time when budgetary implementations have not been stable in the country due to paucity of funds. His impacts have been felt in every LGA of the Delta Central senatorial district. A ranking Senator, Ede Dafinone, in 2027, comes with numerous benefits to the people of Delta Central. If that is the case, it is imperative that the good people of Delta Central must be intentional in their choice of a senatorial representative in 2027, and the re-election of Senator Ede Dafinone must be seen as a top priority for strategic gains that come to the district thereafter. At the moment, Senator Dafinone is in the apogee of the Nigerian Senate for his show of intellectual decorum so far, and his re-election poses the opportunity of a promising parliamentary portfolio that brings home the delivery for the people if re-elected. There is the opportunity of Senator Dafinome becoming a principal officer in the Senate if re-elected. Also, a ranking senator, Dafinone, is a sure bet for the position of chairman of a relevant Senate committee based on his towering professional standing and prowess. In addition, a ranking Senator Dafinone would utilize his ranking status to foster harmonious relationships with his colleagues for lobbying and support for his bills, motions, and votes, thereby facilitating a win-win situation for the people of Delta Central.
In conclusion, the need for the people of Delta Central to have a ranking senator with an unblemished brand and rising performance in the Senate cannot be overemphasized. I believe this is one reason why so many netizens from the Delta Central senatorial district have almost made it a daily cliché of the saying, "There is no vacancy for the Delta Central senatorial seat; Senator Ede Dafinone is good to go." Such social media frenzy displays have characterized the ever-increasing support and call for Senator Ede Dafinone to consider a second term in office as senator of Delta Central. To this end, well-meaning patriots of the Urhobo nation must rise above board to ensure that Senator Ede Dafinone is massively re-elected during the 2027 general election as a ranking senator from the senatorial district.
Dr. N.M. Darigho Odedede is a development communicator who writes from his hometown of Okpara-Inland, Ethiope East LGA, Delta State.
