By Darlington Oghenekaro
The case for shifting Delta Central’s 2027 Senate ticket to Ethiope Federal Constituency is no longer just a matter of political courtesy, it is fast becoming a strategic necessity in light of the deepening divisions within the district’s dominant blocs.
The contest has largely centred around Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, and Senator Ede Dafinone, all of whom command influence within Ughelli/Udu and Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie federal constituencies. Rather than strengthening the All Progressives Congress (APC), this concentration has intensified rivalry, creating fault lines that could prove costly if left unresolved.
Against this backdrop, John Nani stands out as a stabilising alternative. A prominent chieftain of the APC from Ethiope West Local Government Area in Delta State, he is also a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly representing Ethiope West Constituency and a former Delta State Commissioner for Environment. His political profile combines grassroots connections with administrative experience, while remaining largely unencumbered by the factional disputes currently shaping the race.
Ethiope Federal Constituency, comprising Ethiope East and Ethiope West, has long remained outside the centre of senatorial power rotation in Delta Central. In a district where informal zoning has historically helped maintain internal balance, continuing to overlook Ethiope risks reinforcing perceptions of marginalisation. For a party that depends on cohesion across all blocs, that is a risk it can ill afford.
What strengthens Nani’s case is his position outside the entrenched rivalries. The tensions between the Omo-Agege and Emerhor camps reflect deeper struggles over influence within the party, while Dafinone’s incumbency adds another layer of competition. Introducing a candidate from Ethiope reframes the contest, offering a pathway away from direct confrontation toward a more inclusive and less divisive outcome.
Electorally, Delta Central is not won by dominance in a single constituency but through a careful spread of support. A candidate from Ethiope enters the race with the potential advantage of a relatively unified base, at a time when other blocs are fragmented by internal contests. If that base is effectively mobilised and combined with support from factions seeking an alternative to the ongoing rivalries, it creates a viable path to victory.
There is also the issue of post-primary unity. The APC has previously struggled to reconcile competing interests after contentious primaries, sometimes leading to voter disengagement or quiet resistance during general elections. Retaining the ticket within already contested constituencies risks repeating that pattern. By contrast, shifting focus to Ethiope offers a chance to reduce friction and build a broader coalition.
Nani’s experience further reinforces this argument. His time in the Delta State House of Assembly and his role as Commissioner for Environment provide him with both legislative insight and executive exposure. At the same time, his relatively moderate political positioning makes him less polarising, a quality that could prove decisive in uniting diverse interests within the party.
Ignoring the current dynamics could leave the APC vulnerable. A bruising primary dominated by established heavyweights may produce a candidate weakened by internal opposition. That scenario would hand a strategic advantage to rival parties eager to capitalise on division.
Repositioning the ticket toward Ethiope Federal Constituency, and toward John Nani, offers a different outcome. It prioritises balance, reduces internal conflict, and expands the party’s electoral possibilities. In a political environment defined by rivalry and fragmentation, that makes him not just a viable option, but a necessary one for a party seeking both stability and success in 2027.
