UGHELLI/Nigeria: A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Olorogun Barrister Adelabu Bodjor, has dismissed claims that Olorogun O’tega Emerhor stepped down his senatorial ambition ahead of the 2023 elections in favour of Senator Ede Dafinone, describing the narrative as misleading, unfounded, and lacking substance.
Bodjor, a pioneer Chairman of the APC in Delta Central, in a strongly worded rebuttal, insisted that Emerhor could not have withdrawn from a race he never formally declared interest in, stressing that there was no factual basis for the claims being circulated by some of Emerhor’s supporters within the party.
The APC stalwart was reacting to recent calls by the Emerhor Political Family (EPF), led by Chief Martins Ohwehwo, urging Senator Dafinone to step down from the Delta Central senatorial race in favour of Emerhor on the grounds of equity, political balance, and party cohesion.
According to Bodjor, even if any private understanding existed between Emerhor and certain political actors, the Dafinone camp was neither privy to nor bound by such an arrangement. “For a start, Emerhor didn’t declare in 2023, so he could never be said to have stepped down,” he said.
He added that any such alleged agreement, if it ever existed, ought to have remained private, suggesting it may have been influenced by political considerations tied to both Emerhor and the party’s gubernatorial candidate hailing from Ughelli North, rather than any outdated argument about eastern and western Urhobo divide.
Bodjor urged all aspirants to present themselves openly and contest based on ideas, competence, and programmes, rather than relying on sentiment or indirect pressure tactics. “Emerhor is yet to express an interest, so nobody can step down for someone who has not declared. Those calling on Senator Dafinone to step down should first ask their principal to declare,” he stated.
He further criticised what he described as subtle blackmail and underhand tactics allegedly being deployed by some of Emerhor’s supporters to generate public sympathy, questioning their confidence in his ability to win a competitive primary. “If indeed Emerhor wants to contest, the most honourable path is to declare and face other aspirants in a free and fair primary. If his supporters are not sure of his capacity to win within the party, how will he fare in a general election?” he queried.
“It appears his overzealous supporters fear the demystifying of the ‘founding leader’ in a freely contested primary; if not, why this panic move?” Bodjor added.
Providing historical context, Bodjor recalled that Emerhor had previously contested as the party’s senatorial candidate in 2013 and later as the APC governorship candidate in 2015 but lost both elections. He suggested that the former party leader should allow room for other aspirants to emerge. “He should not always have to be the candidate of the party,” he said.
He also expressed concern over what he described as contradictions within the party, noting that some long-standing APC members who had complained about being sidelined by new entrants were now the same individuals calling for a sitting senator, who won on the party’s platform, to step down.
“It is equally surprising that this argument is coming from those who have consistently alleged that the old APC is being oppressed. This is very troubling,” he remarked.
On the issue of equity, Bodjor dismissed attempts to justify calls for Dafinone’s withdrawal on that basis, explaining that fairness in Delta Central politics has traditionally been anchored on equitable distribution across local governments and federal constituencies.
“Equity has always meant fair representation among local governments or federal constituencies. The current argument—that Dafinone should step down because he and the governor are from the same federal constituency, not even the same local government—is not consistent with established political practice,” he said.
He further highlighted historical imbalances in representation within the senatorial district, noting that the Ughelli Federal Constituency has produced the senator for a significant portion of the democratic era since 1999.
“If we must truly consider equity, is it fair that in the 28 years of this democratic dispensation since 1999, Ughelli Federal Constituency has produced the senator for about 20 of those years? Any candidate from Ughelli North in 2027 would extend that to 24 out of 32 years. Those who seek equity must come with clean hands,” Bodjor stated.
He concluded by questioning the depth of understanding among those claiming allegiance to the Emerhor Political Family, noting that many may not fully grasp the political journey that shaped Emerhor’s influence within the APC. “Those claiming to be members of the Emerhor Political Family may not even understand how he rose within the APC. That, however, is a story for another day,” he added.
