“Politics Is About Lifting People” — The Story of Ede Dafinone, Delta’s Quiet Reformer

Ede Dafinone was born in Lagos on 10 April 1962. He rose from a distinguished background in accounting and business to become the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District in Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly.

Ede Dafinone is a Nigerian chartered accountant-turned-politician from Delta State, representing Delta Central on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He is known for his professional background and philanthropic work in Delta state.

ALSO READ: Who is Titus Zam? The Politician Who Returned to Defeat His Boss

Though born in Lagos, Nigeria, the lawmaker hails from the Dafinone family of Urhobo origin, deeply rooted in the Sapele/Okpe area of Delta State. His father was David Omueya Dafinone, a prominent accountant and former Senator.

He attended Corona School, Apapa, Lagos, from 1968 to 73 and then King’s College, Lagos (1973-78). He then studied at Rugby School in Warwickshire, United Kingdom, from 1978 to 1980. He earned a B.A. (Hons) in Economics from the University of Manchester (1980-83) and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Exeter (1984).

He subsequently attended Lagos Business School for advanced management studies. He is a Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. During his schooling and early career, his family’s strong accounting tradition was notable: his siblings and father were all members of ICAEW.

EXPLORE: Neda Bernards Imasuen: The Disbarred Lawyer Who Became a Senator

Before full-time politics, Dafinone built a substantial professional career. He worked at Touche Ross & Co. (London) from 1984 to 1988. In 1989, he joined Crowe Dafinone (Chartered Accountants) in Lagos. Over time, he became a Partner (1997) and later Deputy Managing Partner (from 2007).

He held directorships/chairmanships in various entities, including Sapele Petroleum Ltd, Ceddi Corporation Ltd, and Sapele Integrated Industries Ltd. He also served as director at NEXIM Bank,  a member of the ICAEW advisory board, a board member of the National Film & Video Censors Board, and the chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MAN-EPG), among others.

His business interests included export manufacturing (rubber plantation & crumb rubber), real estate (shopping mall), and insurance (NEM Insurance Plc). His professional success and community involvement built his profile, which he later leveraged into political office.

Dafinone’s political involvement dates back to the founding of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State in 1998 alongside his father. He contested the PDP Delta Central senatorial primaries in 2006. He later joined the APC in 2014.

In February 2023, he contested the senatorial election for Delta Central on the APC platform and was elected. He then assumed office as Senator in the 10th National Assembly, where he currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committees on Legislative Compliance and on Local Content.

His legislative initiatives include sponsoring bills such as the establishment of a Federal University of Education, Isiokolo; an act to amend the 1999 Constitution to define gross misconduct for impeachment; anti-open grazing/ranching bill; a bill to amend the Petroleum Training Institute Act, etc.

YOU MIGHT LIKE: Victor Umeh: The Estate Surveyor Turned Legislator

He has been actively delivering constituency projects: for example, commissioning ICT centres in schools, installing transformers, and engaging in environmental security interventions in Delta Central. He was named ‘Senator of the Year’ at the 7th Niger Delta Advancement Awards (January 2025) for his representation, projects, and oversight functions.

His impact includes:

• Infrastructure interventions: commissioning of transformers, establishment of ICT centres in schools across his district.

• Healthcare outreaches: medical service to thousands of constituents for chronic diseases.

• Advocacy for his constituency: e.g., environmental security meetings, support of traditional institutions, championing of Urhobo interests.

• Awards and recognition from media and civil society.

There have also been controversies when a group of constituents in May 2025 threatened a recall motion citing non-performance.

Senator Dafinone is married to Eyamba Dafinone and comes from a large family of accountants. His father and his siblings all pursued chartered accounting. Religiously, his family is from the Urhobo people (predominantly Christian).

He appears to have a quiet public persona, emphasising service, capacity building, philanthropy rather than flamboyant display.

SEE THIS: After His Brother’s Death, He Rose: The Unbelievable Story of Senator Kelvin Chukwu

A precise current net-worth figure for Senator Dafinone is not publicly verifiable in reliable sources. However, a 2018 industry report noted that he had a 6.98% stake (~368 million shares) in NEM Insurance, valued then at about N994.8 million.

NEM Insurance director disclosures for 2021 show his shareholding at 350,023,219 shares (indirect) in NEM Insurance Plc. These disclosures indicate substantial business interests, particularly in insurance and export-engineering sectors.

There is no publicly accessible, detailed information on real estate holdings, vehicles, or asset declarations beyond those business stakes. There is also no verified major public controversy about wealth or corruption documented in credible sources, though constituency performance criticism and recall threats exist.

In July 2024, Dafinone praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold step in removing fuel subsidy, insisting that the action has reset the nation on the path of economic recovery. He said:

On his empowerment philosophy, Senator Dafinone has often emphasised that leadership should translate into tangible change for ordinary citizens. He made this remark while addressing youths at a constituency forum in Sapele.

RECOMMENDED: Meet Ned Nwoko: The Billionaire Senator Behind Regina Daniels

• In October 2025, Senator Dafinone launched a major medical outreach campaign providing healthcare services to over 2,000 constituents across his district.

• In January 2025, he was awarded “Senator of the Year” at the Niger Delta Advancement Awards for his legislative and constituency work.

• Media reports in June 2025 highlighted his commissioning of ICT centres in schools and transformer installations in Delta Central as part of his second anniversary in office.

• The recall threat in May 2025 by an interest group in his constituency reflects pressure for political accountability.

Senator Ede Dafinone is bridging the worlds of business and accounting with political representation. He builds on a family legacy of accounting and public service (his father was a prominent accountant and senator), and he brings technical expertise into legislative and constituency work.

For the people of Delta Central, he has positioned himself as a representative with deep community roots. Critics remain mindful of delivery timelines, as evidenced by the recall threat, but recognition through awards and constituency acknowledgements suggests growing visibility.

His legacy is still being formed, but if sustained, it may be one of modernising representation, leveraging private-sector experience for public-sector impact, focusing on capacity building rather than only patronage, and making his home district visible in national policy.

RECENT: Why #JusticeForOchanya Is Trending Again, 7 Years After Her Death