By Julius Okiemute
As political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections quietly take shape, a deeper conversation is unfolding across Urhobo land, one that goes beyond party labels and zoning formulas. From Sapele to Udu, the focus is shifting toward a fundamental question: who can truly articulate the interests of Delta Central Senatorial District at the national level with clarity, firmness, and consistency?
Across communities in Sapele, Okpe, Uvwie, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Udu, that question is increasingly being answered with one name, Olorogun John Nani. The momentum behind him is not driven by loud ambition or aggressive politicking, but by a growing belief that Delta Central needs a senator who can speak forcefully for the Urhobo Nation and translate advocacy into measurable outcomes.
Delta Central has a long-standing record of Senate representation, yet many residents argue that this representation has not always translated into meaningful influence. Persistent infrastructure deficits, environmental degradation in oil-producing communities, youth unemployment, and uneven federal attention continue to define daily realities across the district. These unresolved issues have fuelled calls for a different kind of senator, one whose voice carries weight in Abuja and whose presence goes beyond attendance to impact.
In Sapele, community mobiliser Ejiroghene Godspower believes the district must now prioritise effectiveness over sentiment. According to him, Delta Central has rotated political offices among its various blocs, yet the benefits have remained limited. What matters now, he argues, is the ability to consistently push regional interests at the national level. In his view, John Nani’s administrative background and calm persistence distinguish him from conventional aspirants.
From Okpe Local Government Area, respected elder Samuel Oghenetega frames the conversation around urgency. He notes that oil-bearing communities across Delta Central continue to shoulder environmental and social costs without corresponding federal attention. For him, the Senate seat must be occupied by someone who understands development politics and is prepared to confront uncomfortable realities in national policy discussions, a quality he believes Nani has demonstrated in public service.
In Uvwie, political discourse has increasingly taken on a generational tone. Stakeholder Anthony Odafe says young people are no longer impressed by status alone. They want access, engagement, and representation that feels responsive. He describes Nani as a leader who listens, consults widely, and remains accessible, qualities that resonate with a population demanding relevance in governance.
Ughelli North, which has produced several senators in the past, is also part of the emerging consensus. Political figure Julius Ogono argues that the district must move beyond entitlement politics. Having produced senators before, he says, Ughelli North has little justification for resisting a candidate whose appeal cuts across ethnic and local government lines. For him, the deciding factor is capacity, not origin.
A similar sentiment is shared in Ughelli South, where civic leader Edafe Umukoro describes the Senate as a space that demands strategic engagement rather than symbolic presence. He believes Delta Central needs a representative who understands how to build alliances, influence debates, and sustain attention on regional concerns, qualities he associates with John Nani’s style of leadership.
From Udu, community elder Mike Oghenebrume places emphasis on unity. He argues that supporting Nani should not be viewed through the narrow lens of local advantage, but as a collective Urhobo project. In his assessment, when one candidate earns district-wide confidence, it strengthens Delta Central’s bargaining power nationally.
Much of Nani’s growing acceptance is linked to his stewardship of DESOPADEC, where observers highlight a leadership style anchored on consultation, reduced political friction, and sustained engagement with grassroots stakeholders. His earlier tenure in the Delta State House of Assembly is also frequently cited, with supporters noting that his interventions and constituency-focused initiatives left a lasting impression and earned him enduring goodwill among his constituents. Together, these experiences, they argue, have equipped him for the rigours of legislative advocacy at the national level, where negotiation, consistency, and credibility matter as much as passion.
Although John Nani has not formally declared a Senate ambition, political observers note that his name continues to surface organically in conversations across federal constituencies. To many, this suggests an aspiration shaped by demand rather than personal insistence.
As Delta Central navigates the road to 2027, the mood across Urhobo land appears increasingly aligned. The district is no longer merely seeking representation—it is seeking relevance, influence, and a voice that cannot be ignored. In that search, Olorogun John Nani is steadily emerging as a figure many believe can carry the weight of Delta Central’s expectations on the national stage.
