The Urhobo leaders particularly praised Senator Dafinone for his intervention during the Okuama crisis, especially his role in securing the release of the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom and his continued efforts toward the freedom of other detained community leaders.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, Chairman of the President-Generals, Chief Arawore Monday, declared that the Urhobo nation had resolved to stand firmly behind the three leaders ahead of 2027.
“We will follow Senator Ede Dafinone, and we will also follow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As far as we are concerned, what remains now is only the certificate of return,” he said.
Chief Arawore stated that the performances of President Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori, and Senator Dafinone had already convinced the Urhobo people that they deserved another term in office.
“There is really no need for too much campaigning anymore because they have campaigned for themselves through their performance. Today, Senator Dafinone has become a symbol of good governance and effective representation,” he added.
The forum also pledged to mobilize grassroots support across the 24 Urhobo kingdoms to ensure victory for the APC and its candidates in the next general election. The leaders described the “Sheriff Oborevwori Project” as a collective Urhobo agenda that must be protected and sustained.
“We are not going back. The Sheriff Project is our project, and we are fully committed to it. Together, we are going to achieve success through unity and cooperation,” the forum chairman said.
Earlier in his address, Senator Dafinone thanked the Urhobo leaders for their continued support and reflected on his journey from the private sector to the National Assembly. He noted that before joining politics, he had built extensive experience in accounting, exports, agriculture, consulting, and business leadership, including serving as Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Group and Chairman of one of Nigeria’s largest environmental NGOs.
The senator said his primary mission in the Senate has been the upliftment of the Urhobo people through human capital development, scholarships, employment opportunities, empowerment programmes, and infrastructure projects spread across the eight local government areas of Delta Central.
“My central focus has always been to raise the Urhobo nation at every opportunity and improve the lives of our people, whether at home or in the diaspora,” Dafinone stated.
He also emphasized the need to preserve Urhobo identity, language, and culture, warning that younger generations were gradually losing touch with their roots. According to him, Urhobo leaders must intentionally mentor and empower younger people to secure the future of the ethnic nationality.
“Beyond infrastructure, my greatest concern remains the preservation and elevation of the Urhobo identity. We are gradually witnessing a situation where many young Urhobo men and women are losing touch with their language, culture, traditions, and sense of pride in being Urhobo. If we do not address this, over the next 50 to 100 years, we may find ourselves becoming a disappearing people.
“We need stronger role models, more success stories, and more Urhobo champions across business, politics, academia, and industry. We need successful Urhobo leaders who will intentionally raise younger generations behind them rather than quietly enjoying their positions without mentoring others. Leadership without succession leaves dangerous gaps for the future.
“I recall hosting about 25 to 30 Urhobo students in Abuja about a year and a half ago. During introductions, some of them proudly identified themselves by the states where they currently reside rather than by their Urhobo roots, despite both parents being Urhobo. That experience reinforced my belief that we must intentionally preserve our identity, language, and cultural heritage.
Among the President-Generals present at the meeting were Chief Arawore Monday, Chief Edomidaghan Lucky (JP), Chief Erute Abovi, Chief Atumah Vincent, Chief Ememu Emmanuel, Chief Okumagba Sylvester, Chief Ukpebitere Kenneth, Chief Umukoro Wilson, Chief Etetakpor Opone, Chief Dokie Andrew, Chief Egbedi MacPherson, Chief Umudjere Joseph, Chief Anuya David, Chief Otobrise Monday, Chief Brighadimor David, Chief Wheleke Patrick, and Chief Efe Ese.
