Former Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, has thrown his weight behind Senator Ede Dafinone ahead of the Delta Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial District primary election scheduled to hold tomorrow.
Ibori made his position known during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at his residence in Oghara, Government Area of Delta State, on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
Key Highlights:
- James Ibori endorses Senator Ede Dafinone ahead of Delta Central APC primary
- Ethiope West APC leaders align with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s political structure
- Stakeholders insist Ethiope West cannot oppose Delta APC leadership
- Meeting signals major political realignment within Delta Central APC
- Leaders discuss unity, progress, and 2027 election strategy in Delta State
The meeting reportedly brought together key APC leaders and stakeholders from Ethiope West who have aligned with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the recognised APC structure in Delta State.
Sources at the meeting disclosed that Ibori urged party leaders to support Senator Dafinone, describing him as the preferred candidate who had consulted widely across the eight local government areas in Delta Central Senatorial District.
The former governor reportedly stressed that Ethiope West could not afford to work against the mainstream APC structure in the state or operate at cross purposes with the leadership direction currently shaping the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development marks a significant shift within Delta politics, especially amid ongoing alignments and consultations ahead of the APC senatorial primary election.
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The gathering also signaled renewed unity within the influential Odidigboigbo political family, which many believe remains one of the most powerful political blocs in Delta State politics.
Issues relating to party unity, political cooperation, and the future of Ethiope West, Ethiope Federal Constituency, Delta Central, and Delta State were extensively discussed during the closed-door meeting.
A group photograph taken after the meeting showed prominent political figures, including Chief James Ibori, Chief Ighoyota Anori, popularly referred to by supporters as “Odidimadi,” standing alongside other party leaders.
The endorsement is expected to further reshape political calculations within the APC in Delta Central ahead of the primary elections.
