Urhobo youths are increasingly rallying behind Senator Ede Dafinone for a second term in the Senate, with the President of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Youth Wing, Blessed Ughere, citing accessibility, responsiveness and tangible opportunities for young people as reasons for his preference over former Delta Central Senator, Ovie Omo-Agege.
Ughere made the position known in a statement titled “Why Urhobo Nation Youths Must Endorse and Support Senator Ede Dafinone,” in which he declared his support for Dafinone’s re-election.
The UPU youth leader based his endorsement largely on what he described as Dafinone’s willingness to listen to youths and act on their concerns, rather than merely make promises.
A major example he cited was the senator’s intervention that secured places for 20 Urhobo youths in the ongoing Niger Delta Community Development Board (NCDMB) Media and Communication Training.
According to Ughere, he personally approached Dafinone after learning about the training programme in September last year.
“I reached out to him immediately. Without hesitation, he contacted the Board, and within two days, I was asked to submit 20 names for the training,” Ughere said.
He said the 20 Urhobo youths were currently participating in the programme, describing the opportunity as evidence of what responsive representation could deliver for young people.
For Ughere, the issue is not simply about political loyalty but about access to opportunities and measurable impact.
He described the NCDMB intervention as one of several opportunities facilitated by Dafinone for Urhobo youths, stressing that the initiatives had not been based on partisan considerations.
“Beyond words, Senator Ede Dafinone has consistently shown that he is a leader who listens and acts,” he said.
The UPU Youth Wing president also pointed to Dafinone’s accessibility to the Urhobo Progress Union, saying the senator had remained available whenever the organisation called on him to support issues affecting the people.
Ughere’s argument comes against the backdrop of an emerging political contest over who should represent Delta Central in the Senate in 2027.
Dafinone succeeded Omo-Agege as senator representing Delta Central after the 2023 election.
While Omo-Agege remains a prominent political figure in the Urhobo political space, Ughere’s endorsement suggests that some youth leaders are placing greater emphasis on what constituents receive during a tenure, particularly access to training, empowerment and other opportunities.
A recent public affairs commentary also contrasted the two political styles, arguing that Dafinone’s interventions have been spread across the eight local government areas of Delta Central, while portraying his approach as more inclusive. That assessment was an opinion piece, rather than an independent audit of the two senators’ records.
Ughere, however, focused on his own experience of seeking assistance for Urhobo youths and receiving a rapid response.
He argued that political support should be earned through demonstrable results.
“Our appreciation must go beyond words. We must recognize and support leaders committed to the empowerment of our people,” he said.
Ughere consequently called on Urhobo youths to rally behind Dafinone, arguing that another term would allow the senator to consolidate on programmes already initiated.
“For this reason, Urhobo youths must rally around Senator Ede Dafinone and support him to complete all that he has started,” he declared.
He said the 20 youths currently undergoing the NCDMB training represented more than beneficiaries of a single programme.
According to him, the opportunity had given the youths access to skills that could strengthen their confidence and improve their future prospects.
“The opportunity you gave these 20 youths is an investment in their skills, confidence, and future. May God continue to strengthen you,” he said.
Ughere also commended Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Dafinone for what he described as responsiveness to the aspirations of the Urhobo people.
He ultimately declared, “Therefore, I endorse him and I support him for a second term.”
