OGHARA/Nigeria: Former member of the House of Representatives and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Hon. Chief Ben Igbakpa, has backed Senator Ede Dafinone’s bid for a second term in the National Assembly, urging voters in Delta Central Senatorial District to retain the lawmaker in the 2027 elections.
Igbakpa spoke on Tuesday when Dafinone, who represents Delta Central in the Senate, visited him at his residence in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State as part of his consultations ahead of the election.
But beyond endorsing Dafinone, the former lawmaker offered an explanation of what legislators can realistically do in securing constituency projects, saying lawmakers nominate projects but do not directly control the funds required for their execution.
According to Igbakpa, the ability of a legislator to attract projects and other opportunities to a constituency often depends on sustained engagement with the executive and other relevant institutions.
“There is no money given directly to any legislator. You only have the privilege to nominate projects from your area. If the executive does not fund the project, there is nothing you can do,” he said.
Igbakpa argued that the public should therefore distinguish between a legislator’s role in identifying or facilitating projects and the responsibility for funding and implementing them.
He said lawmakers could use their positions and relationships to advocate for their constituencies, but could not be held out as having direct access to funds for the projects they nominate.
The APC chieftain said Dafinone had, during his first term, built relationships across the country which he believed could become increasingly useful to Delta Central and the wider Urhobo community.
He described Dafinone’s performance as commendable, particularly considering the relatively short time he had spent in the Senate, saying the senator had adapted quickly to the workings of the National Assembly and developed contacts that could be useful in attracting opportunities to the district.
Igbakpa said the senator’s extensive engagements should be viewed as groundwork for future benefits, arguing that the relationships established during his first term could yield greater results if he is returned to the Senate.
He also commended Dafinone for extending his engagements beyond conventional legislative activities, saying political representation increasingly requires the ability to connect with institutions and people outside the immediate political environment.
The former lawmaker, who said he follows Dafinone’s activities on social media, said he had come to appreciate the senator’s approach to political engagement.
On the political situation within the APC in Delta Central, Igbakpa said previous communication difficulties among stakeholders had been resolved, creating room for greater cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.
“At first, there was a misunderstanding, so there was no deal. Our line of communication was zigzag. But now, we are back together as one,” he said.
He assured Dafinone of his support and said he would work with other APC stakeholders towards the party’s success in the 2027 elections.
“We are in the APC, and we will work assiduously to ensure that we win,” Igbakpa said.
Earlier, Dafinone called on APC members in Ethiope East and other parts of Delta Central to strengthen their cooperation and intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.
He urged party members to engage directly with voters, identify challenges at polling-unit level and work collectively towards securing victory for APC candidates.
“Go and meet those who may disrupt your efforts. We must unite to secure a decisive victory. Let’s work together as one team,” Dafinone said.
He described it as his responsibility to communicate the party’s message to members at the grassroots and urged them to take the message to other party supporters.
