There is a pattern in Delta politics that has become tired, predictable, and costly. It’s the politics of borrowed identity. Senator Ovie Omo-Age perfected it. He embodied it so completely, it’s not for wont of the right label to tag it the ‘Agege Doctrine.’

Under the Agege Doctrine, election season sounds like a family reunion for all Urhobo. The posters wear Urhobo colours. The speeches are full of “our people,” “our collective interest,” “Urhobo must take its place.” The rallies are packed. The endorsements are thunder.

The deceit impression is simple: this is not one man’s race. It is our race. In that season, Agege’s ambition wears Urhobo clothes.

Then the votes are counted. But the moment the oath is taken, the gates narrow. Suddenly, appointments, contracts, liaison roles, and access are reserved for a small circle, many now call the ‘Omo-Age United Family’.

Projects that should have spread across Delta Central gather in one spot. Stakeholder meetings shrink into family meetings. Majority names that filled campaign grounds are told to wait, to be patient, to understand.

We have seen the manifestations. A federal polytechnic cited in Orogun. A Defence School in Orogun. A proposed Delta Law School in Orogun. Every major federal benefit attracted to Delta Central found its way to one compound.

Before 2023, party leaders were asked to submit names of youths for jobs at the Orogun Polytechnic. Recommendations from Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Olorogun Barr Festus Keyamo-SAN, Sobotie, Akpeki, Orubebe, Ochei, and many others did not make the final list of the selected.

Buildings and supply contracts for projects awarded for same institutions did not go to Delta Central broadly. They stayed within a family circle, with his younger brother, Jimmy Omo-Age, allegedly emerging as the head of the table after the election. Jimmy is usually anonymous during campaigns. He becomes central during sharing.

Same template played out with surveillance contracts, under the grip of same Jimmy. Urhobo youths engaged get meal tickets compared to better fed counterparts who benedit slots ceded to Ijaw, Isoko, and Itsekiri.

That is not leadership. That is bait and switch. It deploys collective bargaining like fuel at election time, and throws it away after victory. In Delta Central the damage is deep. First, it kills trust. Politics is a covenant. You stand with me; I stand for you. When a man campaigns as a son of the soil and governs as head of a private estate, he teaches a generation that promises die after swearing-in.

Second, it weakens Urhobo power. As a majority bloc in Delta, we can negotiate better with government, with LGAs, with oil and gas operators. When those benefits are privatized, we arrive at every table divided and small.

Third, it corrupts the future. If this model wins, every new aspirant will learn it. Rent the Urhobo name to Return it in when the money starts to flow.

Enough. The Urhobo name is not a billboard for rent every four years. It is heritage. It is responsibility. It is a mandate that must be carried into office, not left at the gate. So here is the new standard. Any aspirant who wants Urhobo votes must do three things before the election. Publish a plan for inclusive appointments.

Name a transparent process for projects across all clans. Accept a stakeholder committee to track delivery after swearing-in.

On that standard, Senator Ede Dafinone is becoming the reference point. He is writing a different script for Delta Central in the 10th Senate. His script has one theme: the common good. From day one, Dafinone has acted like a senator for all of Delta Central. Not for a clan. Not for a ward. Not for a family, His stewardship is spread across the eight LGAs.

Classrooms, health centres, skill hubs, and roads are showing up in Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Udu, Uvwie, Ethiope East, Ethiope West, Okpe, and Sapele. The map of his interventions looks like Delta Central, not family glory.

His empowerment is open. Thousands have received training, start-up tools, sewing machines, grinding machines, and farm inputs. The beneficiaries cut across party, clan, and age. The gate is open.

In Abuja, he is speaking on the things that matter to us: SME funding, Niger Delta infrastructure, youth jobs. His voice is tied to market women in Oghara, students in Abraka, traders in Effurun. He is also using his committees to push more federal presence into education, health, and power.

At home, he is consulting. Town halls. Meetings with kings, youths, women, professionals. The office is open. Feedback shapes priorities. That is how you close the Abuja disconnect. What stands out is restraint. There is no family office running Delta Central. Contracts are not kept in one compound. Appointments are not monopolized. The emphasis is inclusion and impact.

Style is substance in politics. Dafinone’s style is telling us: this senator works for all of you. When this tenure is written, let one line stand: a mandate used for the many, not for a few.

2027 must be different. No more family table. Urhobo must eat together.

Wilson Okorugbo, a public affairs analyst writes from Ughelli, Delta State.

After spending nearly two months in captivity, the 44 pupils and teachers abducted by terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom following an intensive month-long joint security operation led by the Nigerian Army.

The victims, who were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, were rescued on Friday, July 10, after what the military described as a carefully planned, intelligence-led and well-coordinated operation involving troops of the Nigerian Army, the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC, Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, local vigilantes, hunters and the Amotekun Corps.

The operation was led by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General C.R. Nnebeife.

Announcing the successful rescue in a statement on Friday, the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the operation focused on tracking down the terrorist kingpins responsible for the abduction, dismantling their networks, logistics chain, informants and hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park forest and other parts of the country.

According to him, the coordinated offensive lasted for more than one month, during which security operatives carried out extensive intelligence gathering and multiple raids that led to the arrest of several suspects in Oyo State and other states across the country.

He said the arrests crippled the activities of the terrorist group, disrupted its operational structure and mounted sustained pressure on its members, forcing them to release the kidnapped pupils and teachers unconditionally.

The Army said further operations would continue to apprehend other fleeing members of the criminal syndicate and dismantle every remaining cell linked to the group.

The military explained that the rescue operation was deliberately executed with utmost caution to avoid collateral damage and ensure the safe recovery of all the children and their teachers.

It, however, disclosed that some security personnel recorded casualties during the operation but did not provide further details.

The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will subsequently be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunion with their families.

Commending all participating security agencies, Major General Nnebeife expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for providing the strategic direction, support and resources that made the operation successful.

The GOC also thanked Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and the people of the state for their continuous cooperation and support to security agencies throughout the operation.

He equally acknowledged the contributions of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, other Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA, as well as heads of other security agencies for ensuring seamless inter-agency collaboration throughout the mission.

The military further commended members of the media and Nigerians for their patience, understanding and confidence in the country’s security architecture, urging citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and property across the nation.

In a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by the community’s Executive Chairman, Augustine Garri, and the Eldest Man of the Edion-In-Council, Tamukara Mukoro, the community insisted that Garri remains the duly elected and serving chairman.

The community also criticised an online publication by the Daily Independent, authored by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Sunny Apah, which claimed that the state government had recognised Ogedegbe as chairman.

According to the statement, the report contradicted an earlier publication by the same newspaper and reporter on June 8, 2026, which acknowledged Garri’s victory in the June 3 community election and his subsequent inauguration by the Edion-In-Council.

“It is a deliberate attempt to blackmail Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and a clear departure from responsible journalism,” the statement read.

The community maintained that the election was conducted on June 3 by an electoral committee led by Godwin Mukoro under the supervision of representatives of the Ughelli South Local Government and the Divisional Police Officer of Otu-Jeremi Division.

It said Garri secured 10 of the 18 delegate votes cast, while Ogedegbe polled seven votes and another contestant, Sunday Durume, received one vote.

The statement explained that, under the community’s constitution, the electoral committee’s responsibility ended with the declaration of results, while the Edion-In-Council retained the authority to inaugurate the winner and introduce the new leadership to relevant stakeholders.

It added that Garri had since been sworn in and formally presented to organisations, including the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company and other stakeholders, as the substantive chairman of the community.

The community faulted the Delta State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Princess Pat Ajudua, over the alleged recognition of Ogedegbe.

Responding to comments attributed to the commissioner that her ministry recognised officials presented by the electoral committee, the community argued that the committee had no constitutional authority to present elected officers to the state government after declaring the election results.

The statement alleged that the recognition of Ogedegbe amounted to a conspiracy aimed at creating confusion in the community.

It disclosed that a petition had been submitted to the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, seeking an investigation into the commissioner’s actions and calling for her prosecution over allegations of inciting a crisis in the community.

The community also demanded that the Daily Independent and its reporter retract the publication, urging members of the public to disregard the report.

It reaffirmed that Augustine Garri remained the legitimate Executive Chairman of Otughievwen Community.

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Delta State, Sir Festus Ahon, has congratulated veteran journalist and Chairman of the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), Mr Emmanuel Enebeli, on the occasion of his 60th birth anniversary.

In a congratulatory message, Ahon described Enebeli, who is also the State Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), as an erudite journalist, accomplished public relations professional and respected media leader whose contributions to journalism and strategic communication have remained remarkable over the years.

He noted that Enebeli, Chief Executive Officer of Bel Media Consult Limited and Publisher of Ndokwa Reporters, had consistently deployed his professional platforms to promote responsible journalism, good governance, accountability and sustainable development in Nigeria, Delta State and Ndokwa Nation.

Ahon commended the veteran journalist for his commitment to ethical journalism, professional excellence and the growth of online publishing in Delta State, stressing that his leadership of DOPF had contributed significantly to strengthening professionalism and credibility in the digital media space.

“Mr Emmanuel Enebeli has distinguished himself as a consummate journalist, public relations practitioner and media entrepreneur whose passion for excellence and responsible communication continues to inspire many within and outside the profession.

“Through his various professional engagements and media platforms, he has remained a strong advocate of good governance, development and the advancement of his people, particularly Ndokwa Nation,” Ahon said.

The Governor’s spokesman wished Enebeli continued good health, greater accomplishments and many more years of impactful service to journalism, public relations and humanity.

He said: “On behalf of my family and associates, I warmly congratulate Mr Emmanuel Enebeli on his diamond jubilee. As he celebrates this remarkable milestone, I pray that God Almighty grants him sound health, renewed strength, wisdom and many more fulfilling years of service to society”.

‎The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, July 9, 2026 arraigned a former staff of a new generation bank, Chinonso Akujobi, for an alleged N294,595,992 theft before Justice I.O. Ijelu of the State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

Chinonso is being prosecuted on a five-count charge bordering on stealing to the tune of N294.5m.

One of the charges reads:”That you, Chinonso Akujobi, sometime between January and December, 2025, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with a dishonest intent, and while under the employment of Access Bank Plc, stole and converted for your own use, by unauthorized payments from the general ledger of the bank to your Access Bank account number 0036668871 with the name Chinonso A., Uchechi A. and Florence A, the sum of N109,325,566.86(One Hundred and Nine Million Three Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty-six Naira Eighty-six Kobo),thereby committed an offence stealing, contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.”

‎The defendant pleaded “not guilty“ to the charges when they were read to her .

‎In view of this, the prosecution counsel, S.M.Yabo, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed for the remand of the defendant in a Correctional centre.

Justice Ijelu, thereafter, adjourned the case till October 8, 2026 for the hearing of the bail application and the commencement of trial.

The Judge also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional Centre.

Source: EFCC Verified Official Facebook Page

July 9, 2026

Human rights organisation Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the alleged public flogging of a resident of Emevor Community in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, describing the incident as a grave violation of human rights and an assault on freedom of expression.

The organisation identified the victim as Godspower Okedi, alleging that he was publicly beaten for questioning those in authority over an abandoned infrastructure project in his community.

In a statement, Amnesty International Nigeria said a verified video circulating on social media showed Okedi being held down by several members of the community while he was repeatedly flogged with whips and pieces of wood. The organisation also alleged that the attackers trampled on him in what it described as a deliberate attempt to inflict severe physical harm.

According to Amnesty International, Okedi’s only offence was demanding accountability by asking why a project intended to benefit the community had been abandoned despite public resources being allocated for it.

The rights group said the incident reflects a disturbing trend of intolerance towards dissent and criticism, warning that citizens should never be subjected to violence for demanding transparency and good governance.

It noted that Delta State is home to numerous abandoned public projects and maintained that residents have every constitutional right to question government spending and seek explanations from public office holders without fear of intimidation, torture or public humiliation.

“This act of violence is a violation of human rights and a direct attack on freedom of expression,” the organisation stated, adding that the incident illustrates what it described as growing tyranny at the state level, where individuals allegedly aligned with those in power are emboldened to suppress dissent.

Amnesty International further expressed concern over what it called an increasing pattern of human rights abuses in Delta State, alleging that some local leaders and state-aligned actors were using intimidation and abuse of power to silence critics, whistleblowers and citizens demanding accountability.

The organisation warned that when violence is deployed to shield public officials or influential individuals from legitimate scrutiny over failed or abandoned projects, it fosters corruption, weakens democratic accountability and undermines the rule of law.

Calling for urgent action, Amnesty International urged the Nigerian authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial and independent investigation into the alleged attack and ensure that all those found responsible are brought to justice.

The organisation stressed that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of expression and protects individuals from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

It therefore called on law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to act swiftly, insisting that the response to the incident would demonstrate whether the constitutional rights of citizens are genuinely protected and whether no individual, regardless of status or influence, is above the law.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed into law the Federal Medical Centre, Oleh Establishment Bill, marking a historic breakthrough for healthcare delivery in Delta South Senatorial District.

The bill, sponsored by the Senator representing Delta South, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, provides for the establishment of the first Federal Medical Centre in the senatorial district, ending decades without a federal tertiary health institution in the oil-producing region.

Reacting to the development, Joel-Onowakpo described the President’s assent as a landmark victory for the people of Delta South and a major step towards correcting the longstanding imbalance in access to quality healthcare.

The lawmaker expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for what he described as visionary and responsive leadership, noting that the new medical centre would bring specialised healthcare closer to millions of residents and serve as a beacon of hope for communities that have endured the consequences of decades of crude oil exploration.

“For far too long, communities that have borne the brunt of crude oil exploration have endured inadequate access to quality healthcare. This Federal Medical Centre will deliver world-class medical services to our people and contribute meaningfully to their well-being and prosperity,” he said.

Joel-Onowakpo also commended the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele; and members of the National Assembly for their support in securing the passage of the landmark legislation.

He equally thanked High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and Mr. Matthew Tonlagha for their encouragement and support towards the realisation of the project.

Congratulating his constituents, the Senator said the establishment of FMC Oleh signalled a new dawn for Delta South, stressing that the era of marginalisation was steadily giving way to purposeful representation and inclusive development.

“This achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished through purposeful representation, unity of purpose and responsive governance. We remain committed to attracting more transformative projects that will redefine the future of Delta South,” Joel-Onowakpo said.

The presidential assent to the Federal Medical Centre, Oleh Establishment Act further strengthens Joel-Onowakpo’s growing record of legislative accomplishments, coming on the heels of President Tinubu’s earlier assent to the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko Establishment Act—another landmark legislation championed and facilitated by the Delta South Senator.

The Guild, in a letter dated July 6, 2026, and signed by its National President, Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, said the intervention underscored the Governor’s commitment to improving the living conditions of Deltans and translating the promises of his MORE Agenda into tangible benefits.

According to GOMEP-NG, the initiative goes beyond the deployment of buses, as it represents a strategic investment in economic mobility, improved access to opportunities, reduced transportation costs and better daily living for thousands of residents.

“This thoughtful intervention is another clear demonstration of your unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life of Deltans and translating the promises of your MORE Agenda into tangible benefits for the people,” the Guild stated.

The Guild noted that digital media had become a major source of information for millions of Nigerians, with online newspapers, television channels, digital radio stations, podcasts, blogs, streaming platforms and news websites increasingly shaping public discourse in real time.

GOMEP-NG pledged its continued commitment to responsible journalism, factual reporting and the promotion of development initiatives.

The suspects were arraigned on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in separate cases involving minors and other vulnerable victims across the state.

According to the command, Chima Onyeanuna, Emeka Muo and Okafor Chibundu were arraigned over the alleged abduction and defilement of a 14-year-old girl in Nanka.

In another case, police operatives arraigned Chukwudi Ugwu Jeremiah for the alleged defilement of an 11-year-old girl along Slaughter Lane in Awka.

Also standing trial are Ndubuisi Ikechebelu, Udogu Kennedy, Nnamah Christopher and Chinecherem Emmanuel, who are accused of raping a 19-year-old woman on different occasions, an incident that allegedly resulted in her pregnancy.

Similarly, Charity Anakwe and Chidiere Anakwe were arraigned over the alleged assault of their 12-year-old house help.

The court also heard the case against Chukwudi Joseph, who was arraigned for allegedly assaulting a 12-year-old girl in Ozubulu, while Chibuike Agu was docked for the alleged defilement of a 13-year-old girl in Fegge.

Following their arraignment, the court ordered that all the defendants be remanded at the Awka Correctional Centre pending the hearing of their respective cases.

Reiterating the command’s stance against crimes targeting vulnerable persons, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the Anambra State Police Command maintains zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based violence, child abuse and related offences.

He assured residents that the command would continue to thoroughly investigate such cases and ensure that offenders are prosecuted in accordance with the law, while urging members of the public to promptly report incidents of abuse to the police.