Frustration is no longer whispered in corners across the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency. It is now being expressed openly in markets, community meetings and political gatherings, where many constituents say they have yet to feel the full weight of federal representation midway into the current legislative cycle. For them, the concern goes beyond partisan politics; it touches on visibility, accessibility and the sense that their voice must be heard where it matters most.
This growing mood of dissatisfaction has inevitably shifted attention toward alternative leadership options, and one name increasingly gaining traction in grassroots discussions is that of Hon. Efe Ofobruku.
The constituency is currently represented in the National Assembly by Hon. Benedict Etanabene. While his election in 2023 was welcomed with hope in many quarters, some residents now argue that expectations around constituency engagement and legislative assertiveness have not been fully met.
“We hardly see strong motions or bold interventions that directly speak to our daily struggles,” said Pastor Felix Akpoghenobor
(aka Professor), a community leader in Uvwie. “Representation should not be about occupying space in Abuja; it should be about making your people feel your presence both at home and in the chamber.”
Such sentiments are increasingly shaping the political conversation. In Ekpan, youth leader Oghenekaro Umukoro expressed a similar view. “Young people want someone who can speak with energy and connect with us. Politics is changing. If you cannot engage the grassroots consistently, people will start looking elsewhere,” he said.
It is within this atmosphere that supporters are projecting Ofobruku as a preferred choice capable of bringing renewed energy to representation in the House of Representatives. Allies describe him as youthful, approachable and vibrant, traits they believe are critical in a legislative environment where influence is often determined by the ability to communicate persuasively and sustain active participation in debates and committee work.
His political record is frequently cited to reinforce this narrative. During his two tenures in the Delta State House of Assembly between 2011 and 2019, Ofobruku was known among supporters for his active contributions to legislative deliberations and his advocacy on development issues affecting communities along the Warri-Uvwie economic corridor. Empowerment initiatives targeting traders, artisans and youths also helped shape his grassroots appeal.
Mrs. Oghenero Atare, a petty trader in Sapele, recalled some of those efforts. “What we remember is that he used to come around, listen and try to do small programmes to help people start something. That kind of closeness matters to ordinary people like us,” she said.
Beyond legislative service, his later appointment as Special Adviser to former governor Ifeanyi Okowa expanded his exposure to governance processes and policy coordination. Political observers say such experience can be useful in navigating the complex relationship between federal lawmakers and executive agencies responsible for project implementation.
Grassroots visibility remains another factor shaping perceptions. In many Urhobo communities within the constituency, proximity to voters is often seen as a measure of sincerity. Comrade Efe Brume, a youth activist in Okpe, believes this could become decisive. “People want a representative who can argue for them with confidence and still return home to explain what is happening. That balance is what many are searching for now,” he noted.
Supporters also highlight Ofobruku’s oratory capacity, arguing that effective representation requires more than attendance at plenary sessions. In a chamber where debates can determine whether constituency concerns gain national attention, they say assertiveness and clarity are invaluable political assets.
As early political alignments begin to form ahead of the 2027 elections, these grassroots opinions are gradually feeding into broader discussions about the future of representation in Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie. While party structures and campaign dynamics will ultimately shape the contest, the underlying demand for a louder, younger and more responsive voice appears to be gaining momentum.
If the current mood across sections of Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie is anything to go by, the coming battle for the federal seat may be driven less by party calculations and more by a rising grassroots insistence on a louder, younger and more responsive voice in Abuja. In many community circles, that voice is already being identified with Hon. Efe Ofobruku.
