Advocacy group recommends open primary for Emerhor, Dafinone
A political advocacy group, Delta Central Mandate 2027, has called on All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Olorogun O’tega Emerhor to face an open primary contest against the incumbent senator, Ede
A political advocacy group, Delta Central Mandate 2027, has called on All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Olorogun O’tega Emerhor to face an open primary contest against the incumbent senator, Ede Dafinone.
The group’s position follows reports that the Emerhor Political Forum (EPF) has been urging Senator Dafinone to step down ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement signed by its President, Chief Julius Utake, and Secretary, Kingsley Awin, the group said, “Popular aspirants do not beg others to step down. If Olorogun Emerhor believes he has the support, he should come into the open and test it rather than relying on indirect pressure.”
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The group described the EPF’s position as misplaced, maintaining that political relevance is built through grassroots engagement rather than internal pressure.
It added that leadership begins at the community level, while raising concerns about Emerhor’s level of participation in the 2023 electoral cycle, noting that he did not obtain nomination forms for any elective position.
The group also referenced his past electoral outings, including the 2013 senatorial by-election and the 2015 governorship race, describing his performance as below expectations and attributing the outcomes to internal challenges and inconsistency.
Reaffirming support for Senator Dafinone, the group said the lawmaker remains focused on his legislative responsibilities and would not be distracted by what it termed uncoordinated political distractions.
