Ethiope Committee Accuses Dafinone of Backing Anioma State Bid

• Committee alleges Delta Central Senator Ede Dafinone endorsed the Anioma State proposal instead of championing the Ethiope State campaign.

• Group accuses the senator of taking credit for the “Ethiope State” name and offering little legislative support for the agitation.

• Dafinone had not responded to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.

The Ethiope State Creation Committee has accused the senator representing Delta Central, Ede Dafinone, of abandoning the campaign for the proposed Ethiope State by allegedly endorsing the rival Anioma State proposal.

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In a statement dated July 10 and signed by its Chairman, Chief Christopher Ominimini Obiuwevbi, Secretary, Engr. Anthony Ochuko Onyokoko, and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Wilson Omene, the committee alleged that the senator failed to provide meaningful legislative support for the agitation despite being approached at the early stages of the campaign.

According to the committee, a delegation met Dafinone in Abuja and presented detailed documents outlining the proposed state’s land mass, population, economic viability, infrastructure and other requirements expected to strengthen the state creation request.

The committee claimed that although the senator requested further consultations, he later endorsed the proposed Anioma State without informing members of the Ethiope campaign team.

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It further alleged that when confronted over the development, Dafinone admitted supporting the Anioma proposal and explained that its creation would make the Urhobo people the dominant group in Delta State.

The group, however, rejected the explanation, insisting that the senator failed to adequately represent the interests of those advocating for the creation of Ethiope State.

The committee also disputed Dafinone’s claim that he played a key role in adopting the name “Ethiope State,” maintaining that the decision was taken internally after consultations among members and advisers before it was communicated to him.

It further criticised the senator’s appearance at the South-South Zonal Public Hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution in Yenagoa, alleging that he attended the event without making any significant contribution to the campaign beyond expressing brief support.

The committee also dismissed suggestions that the Ethiope State campaign was driven by the All Progressives Congress, saying the movement comprises individuals from different political, religious and professional backgrounds.

It disclosed that Dafinone was invited to a stakeholders’ conference held in Ughelli in January 2025 but neither attended nor sent a representative or goodwill message.

Despite the criticism, the committee appealed to the senator to sponsor the Ethiope State Creation Bill before the end of his tenure, saying the proposed state remains a priority for its supporters.

As of the time of filing this report, Senator Dafinone had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the committee’s statement.