By Onome Oghenetega
The senatorial ambition of a renowned chartered accountant, Chief Ede Dafinone, has received a major boost and royal blessings from one of Nigeria’s famous first class kings and Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Major General Felix Mujakperuo, Orhue 1.
Dafinone, who is contesting on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Delta Central Senatorial District seat, is vying to succeed Deputy President of the Senate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, at the Senate.
The senatorial aspirant, who has been consulting with delegates of the APC, visited the traditional ruler to officially inform him of his intention to contest the Delta Central seat for 2023 general elections.
Dafinone, whose father was a second republic senator, incidentally hails from Sapele Town in Okpe Kingdom.
Orhue 1 (Orodje of Okpe), who is also the chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, described the aspirant as an illustrious son who has brought honour and pride to Okpe Kingdom and Nigeria.
The revered monarch said the Dafinone family was among the few Nigerians to be recognised by the Guinness World Book for their outstanding feat in the accounting field in the world, a honour, he said, the Okpe people do not take for granted.
He stated that with the intimidating credentials of the aspirant, he was one the strong contenders that will not be pushed aside in the race.
Orodje, while praying for the success of the chartered accountant and board room guru turned politician, said he has no doubt in his mind that he will be elected to the Senate.
According to him, ”Your CV is very intimidating. I have no doubt in my mind that God willing when you are in the Senate, there is no way that you will be pushed aside. I also know that your father was a senator, and he was one of the many respected senators of his time.
“It is the prayer of the father for their son to step into their shoes, I am very sure that your father’s prayer is working for you and that you are going to step into his shoes appropriately”
Meanwhile, the senatorial hopeful, Chief Dafinone had earlier disclosed that if given the support to be a senator in 2023, he will make Urhobo proud.
While stressing the need to have a qualified person to take over from the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, Dafinone said he was contesting the position to continue from where the senator will stop.
“I am the best person and highly qualified to be the Delta Central Senator because I have the qualification, the experience and I am not a newcomer in the game of politics. Delta Central is endowed and I promise, if you push me forward, I will move it from potential to prosperity,” he said.
Similarly, founding leader of APC in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor has said, Chief Dafinone has the strength, capacity and technicality to represent Delta Central at the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
Emerhor, who stated this when Dafinone visited him at his country-home in Evwreni Town, noted Ede is someone who can represent the interest of Urhobo nation without being selfish.
He said, he has been supporting the party above personal interest and called on all to give support to Dafinone as he has the wherewithal to compete with the opposition party favourably without stress.
Responding at the separate visit, Chief Ede Dafinone said he had visited the palace and Olorogun Otega Emerhor to seek for their prayers, blessings and advise in order for him to succeed as the senator to represent the people of Delta Central Senatorial District.
He further described Olorogun Emerhor as a major stakeholder and a founding father of APC in Delta State, hence, he was beginning his consultation with him apart from first going to inform his home monarch – Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
He further noted that he holds Olorogun Emerhor in very high esteem and requires his support to become the senator representing the Urhobo people.
