Senator Ede Dafinone represents the Delta North District. In this interview with ELO EDREMODA, he speaks on Nigeria’s economic recovery, youth empowerment, leadership, and the country’s path to sustainable growth.
What immediate fiscal policy adjustments do you believe Nigeria needs to ease the current economic hardship?
The challenge goes beyond individuals; it’s about rebuilding the economy itself. Nigerians are under severe pressure — families are struggling to afford food, rent, and school fees. As senators, we feel it too; our constituents constantly call for help with hospital bills and basic needs.
The hardship stems from the tough but necessary decisions taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — arguably the most prepared president Nigeria has ever had. He knew what needed to be done to restore sustainability.
He made three pivotal moves: removal of petrol subsidy, which benefited only a few and drained our finances; removal of power subsidy, to stop the collapse of electricity companies; and foreign exchange reform, to let the naira reflect its true value.
These measures are painful, but they are already yielding results. Economic indicators suggest early recovery; prices are gradually dropping, and policies are being fine-tuned to support local production.
A key long-term reform is the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative, which will power vehicles at one-third the current fuel cost, drastically reducing transportation expenses. By 2027, Nigerians will see the full benefits of these policies.
How can the government cushion the hardship before the reforms fully take effect?
The government has rolled out palliative measures, including the Conditional Cash Transfer, grain and rice distributions, and other reliefs, though implementation challenges exist. We must also recognise that there’s been a global economic slowdown. The hardship isn’t unique to Nigeria; many nations are struggling.
However, my advice to Nigerians is this: don’t wait for the system alone. They should look for legitimate ways to rise above hardship. Even in difficult times, a small percentage always thrives — through innovation, skill, and resilience. Each of us should strive to move from the struggling majority into that thriving minority.
How can Nigeria convince its youths to stay and build their future here rather than seek opportunities abroad?
We need a fundamental mindset shift. First, role models matter. Young people need to see that integrity and hard work pay off. We must stop celebrating those who cut corners and start honouring those who build honestly.
Second, self-employment and skills are the future. Not everyone will find a government or corporate job. We must empower youths with skills — digital, vocational, agricultural — that can sustain them independently.
Third, agriculture is key. We’re encouraging young people to cultivate high-yield crops on small plots of land and invest in ventures like fish farming. When they see peers succeed, they’re inspired to follow.
Finally, education must evolve. In my day, we memorised facts for exams. Today, information is at everyone’s fingertips. The real skill is knowing what to ask and how to apply the answers. We must train young people to think critically, not just repeat information.
You have been vocal about the creation of the Ethiope State. What do you believe this would achieve for the Urhobo people?
There are practical and political dimensions to this. Practically, history shows new states are usually created under military regimes, so expectations must be realistic. But politically, every region must make its case in case opportunities arise.
People demand new states because they want the government closer to them. An Ethiope State would give the Urhobo greater representation and control over their resources. However, even within a new state, internal divisions could still emerge.
The real solution is effective governance and fair resource allocation, not just drawing new boundaries. Without accountability and fairness, we’ll only multiply the same problems.
On constitutional review, what specific amendment do you consider most urgent?
I believe in improving the current constitution, not discarding it. Starting afresh could create chaos. The focus should be on targeted amendments requiring cooperation across all levels of government.
The most critical, in my view, is protection for traditional rulers. Our monarchs — some with dynasties spanning 800 years — represent the soul of our communities. Yet, a newly elected governor can remove an 85-year-old king who’s ruled for decades simply over political disagreement.
That’s wrong. These institutions embody our culture and history. We protect old buildings abroad; why can’t we legally protect monarchies that define our identity? We must insulate traditional rulers from political manipulation.
You hold the traditional title of Ede of Okpe Kingdom. What lessons from community leadership do you bring to the Senate?
Serving at the community level has been invaluable. As Trustee of the Okpe Leaders of Thought, the Okpe Union, and Chairman of the Sapele-Okpe Land Trust, I’ve learned firsthand how people think, what drives them, and how to solve real problems.
These roles grounded me. When I first contested in 2013, I wasn’t fully prepared. By 2023, years of service and leadership had transformed me. I now bring both grassroots experience and a broader perspective to the Senate.
You’re a chartered accountant in a political arena often driven by emotion rather than precision. How did you adapt?
It’s like switching from science to art — different worlds, but both require discipline. Fortunately, I’ve been involved in politics since 1998, contesting primaries as far back as 2006.
Over 26 years, I’ve been deceived, outplayed, and learned costly lessons. Those experiences toughened me. Today, I’m not just an accountant; I’m also a politician who understands both numbers and human nature.
If you weren’t an accountant or a senator, what would you be doing?
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Honestly, I’m the shyest of my siblings and not a fan of excessive formality. I don’t even like aides carrying my bag — it’s not heavy.
If I could choose another path, I’d probably run a beach shack, selling ice cream and sipping a piña colada. I value simplicity and peace of mind. Money, for me, means comfort — not extravagance. True happiness comes from helping others, not accumulating wealth.
Your family holds a Guinness World Record for producing the highest number of chartered accountants. What’s a key lesson from that shared experience?
Yes, we hold that record, but an even greater achievement is that six of us worked together in the same office for two years without conflict. That’s rare.
Money and ego often destroy partnerships, even among siblings. But our family’s unity came from mutual respect and strong communication — values instilled by our mother, who wasn’t an accountant but the real anchor of the family.
That experience taught me that success isn’t just about skill; it’s about managing relationships and egos, lessons I apply daily in politics.
If you had a magic wand and could change one thing about Nigeria, what would it be?
I’d make every wealthy Nigerian invest their money here at home. The amount of Nigerian wealth hidden abroad or idling in private accounts is staggering.
If even a portion of that were reinvested into factories, schools, healthcare, and infrastructure, we’d transform our economy overnight. Nigerians are among the most industrious people in the world. Drop a Nigerian anywhere, and within a year, they’ll thrive. Our human capital is our greatest resource — far more valuable than oil.
Do we really need a magic wand to achieve that?
Perhaps a small one! (laughs) My idea is a one-time amnesty for those who acquired wealth illegally. They would declare their assets, face no prosecution, but be barred from holding public office or company directorships.
The condition would be that such funds must be invested in Nigeria, in productive sectors that create jobs. This would fast-track development and convert idle or tainted wealth into national progress.
Finally, what message do you have for Nigerians going through difficult times?
I know things are hard, and the pain is real. However, I want Nigerians to understand that the government is aware and working to make things better.
These reforms are like surgery — painful at first but necessary for healing. By staying patient and focused, we’ll soon see visible improvements across all sectors.
The light at the end of the tunnel is not far away; better days are coming.