Omo-Agege: Buhari Blocked Ethiope State, Dafinone Failed to Back Agitation

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has defended his record on the long-running campaign for the creation of Ethiope State, attributing the delay to the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s opposition to the creation of new states.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Communications, Godwin Anaughe, Omo-Agege also pledged to sponsor an Ethiope State Creation Bill during the first legislative session if he returns to the Senate after the 2027 general elections.

The statement was released amid renewed debate among stakeholders in the Ethiope State campaign following references to remarks Omo-Agege made during a meeting with the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) in September 2020.

For years, the campaign for the creation of Ethiope State from the present-day Delta State has remained a key political aspiration among many Urhobo leaders, who argue that a separate state would enhance political representation, strengthen resource control, and accelerate development for the ethnic nationality.

According to the statement, Omo-Agege’s position as Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review placed him at the centre of discussions on constitutional amendments, including requests for the creation of new states.

His office maintained that he consistently advised stakeholders that state creation is a constitutional process requiring broad national consensus, legislative backing across political divides, and, crucially, the cooperation of the Federal Executive.

The statement revealed that during a closed-door meeting involving former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Omo-Agege presented more than 100 constitutional amendment requests, including proposals for the creation of new states.

According to the statement, Buhari made it clear that his administration would not support the creation of any new state, a position Omo-Agege’s camp said effectively stalled every such proposal, regardless of the region.

His office argued that pursuing the bill under those circumstances would have amounted to a symbolic exercise with little prospect of success, given the constitutional requirements for executive cooperation.

The statement, however, claimed that the political climate has changed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration it described as more receptive to state creation.

It therefore challenged serving federal lawmakers representing Delta Central Senatorial District to explain why no Ethiope State Creation Bill or motion has been introduced despite what it described as improved prospects for constitutional reform.

The statement also criticised Senator Ede Dafinone, accusing him of failing to support the Ethiope State campaign when approached, distancing himself from the agitation, and undermining those championing the cause.

It alleged that Dafinone publicly criticised leaders of the movement while supporting state creation efforts elsewhere, describing his actions as a failure of leadership and a betrayal of the Urhobo cause.

By contrast, Omo-Agege’s office insisted that the former Deputy Senate President never attacked proponents of the Ethiope State movement and has remained committed to advancing the agitation through constructive engagement.

Looking ahead, the former Deputy Senate President pledged that if Ethiope State is not created before the 2027 elections and he is returned to the Senate, he will immediately sponsor the Ethiope State Creation Bill and work to build bipartisan support in both chambers of the National Assembly.

The statement said Omo-Agege would also engage the Presidency and other stakeholders to ensure the proposal receives the necessary backing for passage.

His office further acknowledged the efforts of members of the Ethiope State Creation Committee and the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), commending them for sustaining the campaign over the years.

It concluded with a call on all elected representatives from Delta Central, regardless of political affiliation, to unite behind the Ethiope State project, stressing that the campaign transcends party interests and should remain a collective aspiration of the Urhobo Nation.