The Emerhor Political Family (EPF), a political group within the All Progressives (APC) on Friday called on Senator Ede Dafinone to withdraw from the Delta Central Senatorial race and support Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, citing equity and political balance within the party.
Recall that the leadership and members of EPF had on Tuesday called Olorogun O’tega Emerhor to join the Delta Central Senatorial District race ahead of 2027, noting that he has sacrificed so much for the growth of the party since its formation in 2013.
Addressing journalists on Friday, the Chairman of the group, Chief Martins Ohwehwo, reading the group’s statement, framed their demand as a matter of principle anchored on equity, political balance, and the need to sustain internal harmony within the party.
Providing context for the group’s position, they recalled the events leading up to the 2023 general elections, when both Dafinone and Emerhor indicated interest in contesting the same senatorial seat under the leadership of former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege as the party’s governorship candidate. Emerhor, who is from the same constituency as Ovie Omo-Agege, had to step down for Dafinone in the interest of spread in representation.
The group argued that the current political configuration presents a similar scenario, but in reverse, insisting that fairness demands a corresponding gesture from Dafinone.
The statement reads in parts:
“A CALL TO SENATOR EDE DAFINONE TO STEP DOWN IN FAVOUR OF OUR PRINCIPAL OLOROGUN O’TEGA EMERHOR, OON.
“Dear members of the press. We members of the Emerhor Political Family, EPF, deem it urgent, necessary and appropriate to address the press today on a topic of great importance to the APC in Delta Central Senatorial districts and Delta State as a whole.
“As you are well aware, the INEC has fixed the political parties’ primaries to commence on April 23rd and to end May 30th 2026. The electoral act has stipulated that these primaries are to be held by direct elections or by consensus. The period is a short 5 weeks and is upon us already.
“Senator Ede Dafinone currently represents the Delta Central Senatorial District. In 2023, both Senator Ede Dafinone and our principal Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, OON showed interest in contesting for the position of the Delta Central Senatorial position under the gubernatorial leadership of then Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
“As it were, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, were from the same constituency and eastern Urhobo while now Senator Ede Dafinone was from Osu constituency and western Urhobo. To ensure spread in representation and to maximise electoral performance, our principal Emerhor was prevailed upon and he graciously accepted and stepped down for Senator Ede Dafinone.
“Today, the exact situation albeit in the reverse position is on the ground. Senator Ede Dafinone is from the same constituency as our amiable hard-working governor Rt. Hon Elder Sheriff Oboreywori. The same circumstances that made Olorogun O’tega Emerhor to step down are here with us.
“We, therefore, call on Senator Ede Dafinone to show he is a man of principles and honour and to reciprocate the favour and kind gesture done to him by Olorogun O’tega Emerhor in 2023 by voluntarily stepping down in favour of Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and for the interest of the APC party in Delta Central. Also, Senator Ede Dafinone should do this and make the work and process of consensus easier for our leader and governor, His Excellency Rt. Hon Elder Sheriff Oborevwori.
“History will be kind or harsh on Senator Ede Dafinone depending on whether he takes the path of honour or that of selfishness. We call on him to do the right thing and preserve his legacy.”
