Over 250 community youth leaders from Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency (U3) in Delta State have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Ede Dafinone, Rt. Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, pledging their support for the party across the various elective positions.
The endorsement came on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during the U3 Federal Constituency Community Youth Leaders Conference 2026, held at Wetland Hotel, Ughelli, Delta State.
The conference, organised by the U3 Youth Leader and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Development, Chief Hope Ejiro, brought together youth leaders to advance dialogue, unity, grassroots political participation and community development.
Addressing the gathering, Senator Dafinone commended the youth leaders for their endorsement of the APC candidates, assuring them of his commitment to effective representation and equitable distribution of constituency projects.
He disclosed that his office was working towards ensuring that every local government area in Delta Central benefits from at least one significant project as his tenure enters its fourth year, alongside smaller interventions involving transformers, streetlights, water facilities, schools and other essential infrastructure.
The Delta Central lawmaker explained that constituency projects were nominated by legislators but implemented through relevant federal ministries, departments and agencies, stressing that lawmakers must follow up to ensure proper execution.
He identified educational facilities, healthcare infrastructure, accident and emergency wards, school hostels and community utilities among the interventions being pursued, adding that fairness in project distribution remained a priority.
According to him, no community should be neglected, while community leaders must continue to communicate their development needs to his office.
Dafinone also highlighted his appointment as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character, describing the position as an opportunity to promote fairness, equity and balanced representation in federal appointments and employment opportunities.
He encouraged qualified Urhobo youths to take advantage of federal recruitment exercises by following his official social media platforms for credible vacancy announcements, assuring them that his office would provide necessary guidance and legitimate follow-up while respecting established recruitment procedures.
Speaking on President Tinubu’s economic policies, the senator defended the administration’s reforms, acknowledging the hardship facing Nigerians but maintaining that the measures were intended to address longstanding structural challenges and reposition the economy.
He cited fuel subsidy removal, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and increased resources available to subnational governments as major policy initiatives, stressing that their successful implementation must be accompanied by accountability and responsible management of public resources.
Dafinone further emphasised the importance of cooperation between the Federal Government, Delta State Government and elected representatives in attracting development to Urhobo communities.
He maintained that effective representation required accessibility, sustained engagement and strong institutional relationships, assuring the youth leaders that his office would continue to pursue federal projects, employment opportunities and other interventions capable of improving living conditions across Delta Central.
Also speaking, the member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, charged the youth leaders to take greater responsibility for the future of their communities by making informed political choices and holding elected officials accountable.
He stressed that leadership must be measured by character, competence, capacity and commitment to public service rather than political promises.
Waive maintained that Nigeria’s development challenges required collective responsibility, urging young people to move beyond complaints and actively participate in finding solutions.
He identified poverty, unemployment, inadequate healthcare, insecurity and limited economic opportunities as critical concerns demanding sustained attention from government and community stakeholders.
The federal lawmaker further urged youths to embrace education, discipline, productive engagement and community service, noting that the decisions and values adopted by the younger generation would determine the future of society.
Drawing on biblical principles, he emphasised the importance of faith, integrity and responsible leadership, reminding participants that the seeds sown today would ultimately determine the harvest of tomorrow.
Earlier, the organiser of the conference, Chief Hope Ejiro, told youth leaders from communities across the three local government areas that the objective of the conference is to strengthen dialogue between grassroots leaders and elected representatives and for the U3 youth leaders to speak with one voice in order to attract development to their communities.
The gathering provided a platform for discussing community development priorities, youth participation in governance and the need for greater unity among young people in the federal constituency.
The conference concluded with renewed emphasis on grassroots engagement, community development and political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the youth leaders reaffirmed their endorsement of President Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori, Senator Dafinone, Rt. Hon. Waive, and other APC candidates, while the lawmakers pledged continued commitment to the development and welfare of their constituents.
