By Aghogho Orotomah
As we approach the 2027 general elections gradually, the three senators representing Delta State— Ned Nwoko (Delta North), Joel Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South), and Ede Dafinone (Delta Central)— find themselves at the crossroads of scrutiny, performance evaluation, and complex power play in their respective senatorial districts. Though elected with high expectations, the trio now faces mounting opposition, both from within their political camps and the larger electorates, thereby casting serious doubts on their chances of securing a second term in office.
Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North):
Senator Ned Nwoko, a prominent figure known for his glamorous lifestyle, advocacy on malaria eradication, and historical activism, began his senatorial term with significant public attention. However, his political base in Delta North is currently under severe threat, hugely due to growing tension between him and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, a formidable power broker with deep pockets and grassroots influence in Delta North and the entire Delta State.
Okowa, who has shaped the political direction of Delta North first as a Senator representing the district, as the first governor of Anioma extraction, and since leaving office, is rumored to be either personally interested in taking the senatorial seat from Ned Nwoko, or ready to support Dr. Hilary Ibegbulem, his long-time protégé, to replace Nwoko. If true, this could lead to a divided APC ticket or a powerful shift in electoral loyalty among voters in Delta North.
Also, Nwoko has faced controversy amongst the Anioma people over his bill to create Anioma State. This bill has sparked internal conflict in Delta North, with the belief that, should the bill scale through the National Assembly and presidential assent, the Anioma State will be zoned to South-Eastern Nigeria, a position that the majority of the Anioma people are opposed to, as they do not classify themselves as Igbos. Also, recent allegations that Nwoko’s office falsified the signatures of local council chairmen of Delta North for the public hearing of the Anioma bill, a position the Senator’s office has vehemently denied, casts further shadows on the senator’s reelection.
Also, Senator Nwoko is being accused of a lack of broad-based consultation regarding the bill for the creation of Anioma State. These accusations of falsification and lack of proper consultation appear to have weakened his reputation among party and non-party elites and other stakeholders.
Further straining his position is his public falling-out with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, whom he described as unfit to govern Delta State, before the governor joined the APC from the PDP. The statement, seen by some as politically reckless, may isolate him from the party structures, which ordinarily will be under the governor’s grip, making his re-election quest even more complicated.
Aside from the above, in terms of achievement, though he has successfully secured federal civil service jobs and carried out a few other empowerments for his constituents, he is currently being accused, without sufficient evidence, of underperforming. For instance, his bill to upgrade the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba to the Federal University of Technology, Asaba, was passed by the Senate and awaits presidential assent. If passed, his bill for the creation of Anioma State will be a natural part of his bragging rights.
Nwoko’s bold political style and high-profile campaigns have not translated into solid party cohesion or elite backing. Unless he quickly reconciles with party power brokers or leverages his personal connections effectively, his senatorial seat could be at great risk.
Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South):
Senator Joel Onowakpo, who represents Delta South, is walking a political tightrope. Elected under the APC banner, he now finds himself under siege from the region’s ethnic arithmetic and succession plans. At the heart of this brewing storm is the Ijaw ethnic group, who plan to reclaim the Senate seat as part of a longer strategy to produce a governor of Ijaw extraction by 2031. The Ijaws, particularly strong in the Burutu, Patani, and Bomadi areas, believe that controlling the Senate seat is a necessary step in negotiating their claim to the governorship. With increasing mobilization and consultations already underway, the pressure on Onowakpo is intensifying.
Compounding this is rising discontent among the Itsekiri ethnic group, who have not produced a senator at any time. The Itsekiris are reportedly mobilizing their political structures to contest the seat, arguing for fairness and balanced representation within Delta South.
Senator Onowakpo’s performance, while steady in legislative contributions, has not significantly shifted the perception of being out of touch with these ethnic dynamics. As a result, the senator risks being caught in the crossfire of ethnic expectations and ethnic ambitions.
In terms of legislative performance and other achievements, aside from a few human and capital empowerment for his constituents, he has shown capacity, as he was able to lobby and get appointed as the Senate Committee Chairman on Local Content. Also, his sponsored bills for the establishment of the Federal Medical Center, Oleh, and for the establishment of the Federal College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Emede, Isoko South, have been passed and are awaiting presidential assent. As a senator, Onowakpor has distinguished himself as a fine lobbyist and strategist, who can lobby his way into bringing dividends of democracy to his constituents.
With the above, the re-election bid of Senator Onowakpor is precarious, not because of underperformance, but mainly due to both Ijaw and Itsekiri political blocs angling for the Senate seat. Onowakpo may find himself forced out unless he navigates the delicate ethnic terrain with strategic and tangible engagement with stakeholders from the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities.
Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central):
Senator Ede Dafinone is suffering from performance gaps and constituency apathy. A scion of the renowned Dafinone accounting and political dynasty, he ascended to the Senate with high expectations from constituents in Delta Central. However, his tenure has so far been marked by muted performance reviews and growing disillusionment among the Urhobo people.
Dafinone’s empowerment programs, such as the distribution of a fifty-thousand-naira grant and POS machines, have been dismissed by many as tokenistic and lacking long-term value. Critics argue that these efforts fall far short of the bold, people-centered initiatives expected of a federal lawmaker representing one of Delta’s most politically influential senatorial districts.
Adding to his woes is the fact that he is from Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie federal constituency, which is also home to the current Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori. Many political observers and constituents strongly believe that both the governor and senator coming from the same federal constituency deprive other parts of Delta Central, particularly Ughelli/Udu and Ethiope federal constituencies, of meaningful representation and political influence at the state and federal level. As such, the majority of Urhobos believe that, for equity, peace, and justice, Senator Dafinone shouldn’t return.
Furthermore, Dafinone has struggled to build a visible legislative footprint or establish himself as a leading voice on national issues. Unlike his counterparts from Delta North and South, none of his bills have been passed by the Senate. This has led to widespread sentiment that Delta Central deserves a more proactive, strategically inclined, and smart senator heading into the 2027 elections.
With the above, the re-election bid of Senator Dafinone has almost hit the rocks two years into his tenure. It is believed that, unless he dramatically shifts public opinion through massive empowerment of constituents, strategic engagement, and bold legislative performance, he may not survive the strong opposition within and outside the APC, before and during the primaries and general election.
At this stage, certainly, Delta State’s senators are increasingly being questioned, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of the politics of identity, equity, and legacy. With each of the three senators facing different but strong challenges, the 2027 elections may usher in a dramatic reshuffling of political power in the state regarding senatorial representation. For Senator Nwoko, the test will be in reconciling with party leaders and redefining his relevance. For Senator Onowakpo, it’s a matter of surviving ethnic chess games, and for Senator Dafinone, the road to redemption, though almost dead, lies in performance and inclusive politics.
Whatever direction the tides go, one thing is absolutely certain: Deltans, more politically aware and demanding than ever before, are watching.
Aghogho Abraham Orotomah writes from Ughelli, Delta State.
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