Stakeholders in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have applauded the restoration of the Ughelli South II State Constituency after 27 years of political exclusion, describing the development as a major step towards restoring effective democratic representation to the affected communities.
The stakeholders particularly commended the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, and the member representing Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Waive, for their contributions towards the restoration of the constituency.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently restored Ughelli South II, alongside Abraka and Isoko North II in Delta State and Yagba West II in Kogi State, following relevant court judgments.
The Commission has scheduled September 19, 2026, for elections into the restored constituencies, while political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between August 21 and 25.
The restoration brings to an end a long-standing representational imbalance which had left communities within Ughelli South II without a distinct State House of Assembly constituency since 1999.
Reacting to the development, Coordinator of the Niger Delta Peace Coalition, Zik Gbemre, specifically commended Senator Dafinone for his role in advancing the cause of the constituency.
According to Gbemre, “Ughelli South has Senator Ede Dafinone to thank for championing the cause with connection and financial support before anyone else.”
Similarly, former Leader of the Ughelli South Local Government Legislature, Chief Sunny Apah, acknowledged the contributions of several stakeholders to the restoration process.
Apah listed Chief John Oguma, Hon. Francis Waive and the Ughelli South Local Government Chairman, Dr. Lucky Avweromre, among those who played significant roles in the efforts to correct the political anomaly.
Also speaking, APC chieftain, Olorogun Adelabu Bodjor, described the restoration as “good and a huge relief to the people of Ughelli South in general.”
Bodjor said the development had corrected the anomaly created by the previous arrangement, while commending the Ughelli South political class and Senator Dafinone for their efforts.
He expressed optimism that the September 19 election would produce vibrant representatives who would effectively articulate the needs and aspirations of their constituents.
The incumbent representative of Ughelli South State Constituency, Hon. Festus Utuama, also welcomed the development, describing the restoration of the second constituency as good news for the people.
“The restoration of our Second Constituency is indeed welcome news to our people. A burden previously carried by one representative will now be shared by two and there can be no better relief than this,” Utuama said.
Under the restored arrangement, Ughelli South will have two distinct State Assembly constituencies, with Utuama expected to represent Ughelli South I, while residents of Ughelli South II will elect their own representative in the September 19 poll.
The restoration has consequently shifted political attention to the various political parties and prospective candidates seeking to contest the forthcoming election.
Beyond the immediate political contest, however, stakeholders say the significance of the development lies in the restoration of direct democratic representation to communities that have been without a distinct constituency for 27 years.
They maintained that the development would enhance legislative representation, improve accountability and provide the affected communities with a stronger voice in the Delta State House of Assembly.
The stakeholders therefore expressed appreciation to all individuals and institutions that contributed to the restoration process, while urging political actors to ensure that the forthcoming election is peaceful, credible and reflects the wishes of the people of Ughelli South II.
