The Ethiope State Creation Committee has accused the Senator representing Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone, of failing to support its campaign for the creation of Ethiope State, alleging that he backed the proposed Anioma State instead.
The committee claimed the senator made no meaningful legislative contribution to the agitation despite being approached at the early stage of the campaign and being provided with documents outlining the proposed state’s viability.
The allegations were contained in a statement dated July 10, 2026, and signed by the committee’s Chairman, Chief Dr Christopher Ominimini Obiuwevbi; Secretary, Engr. Chief Anthony Ochuko Onyokoko; and Publicity Secretary, Dr Wilson Omene.
According to the committee, a delegation met Dafinone in Abuja and presented him with detailed information on the proposed state, including its population, land mass, infrastructure and economic potential, with the expectation that he would champion the bill in the Senate.
The committee, however, alleged that the senator failed to take any legislative action in support of the proposal.
It further accused Dafinone of endorsing the proposed Anioma State being championed by Senator Ned Nwoko without informing members of the Ethiope State campaign, describing the action as a betrayal of the Urhobo people.
The committee also dismissed Dafinone’s claim that he played a key role in changing the proposed name from Urhobo State to Ethiope State, insisting that the decision had already been taken internally before he was informed.
It stated that the decision followed advice that an ethnic-based name could face challenges during the approval process.
The group also criticised the senator’s attendance at the South-South Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution in Yenagoa, alleging that he only made a brief remark after being invited to speak despite not sponsoring the Ethiope State Creation Bill.
According to the committee, the bill was sponsored by the member representing Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency, Hon. Benedict Etanabene.
The committee further alleged that Dafinone failed to attend its stakeholders’ conference held at Ughelli Town Hall on January 17, 2025, despite receiving a formal invitation, and neither sent a representative nor a goodwill message.
It also rejected the senator’s claim that the agitation was an All Progressives Congress project, insisting that members of the committee included religious leaders, professionals and individuals from different political backgrounds.
Despite its criticisms, the committee urged Dafinone to sponsor the Ethiope State Creation Bill before the end of his tenure, saying it remained committed to achieving the creation of the proposed state.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of Senator Dafinone were unsuccessful, as he had not publicly responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
