We the Urhobo League of Patriots have been following sponsored, deliberate and malicious attacks by some top government officials of the Okowa led administration on the endorsement of Olorogun David Edevbie by the Urhobo Progress Union, the apex body of the Urhobo ethnic nationality.
Ordinarily, we of the Urhobo League of Patriots had wanted to ignore the various sponsored publications but on the second wisdom, have resolved to respond to them as they don’t mean well for the Urhobo nation, more in particular as we move on towards 2023 general elections.
It is sad that some prominent Urhobo sons are being sponsored to destabilize Urhobo nation in this 21 century simply because the Urhobo nation has endorsed the most credible, intelligent and acceptable aspirants as their preferred choice. It is not new in the political arena of adoption as other ethnic nationalities have done same in their various choices e.g. Afenifere, Northern Elders Forum, Arewa and Ohanaeze Ndigbo e.t.c.
The Urhobo nation is a nation with intellectuals of proven integrity, therefore, cannot endorse or sponsor an Agbero or a Misfit to Govern Delta State in midst of these aforementioned intelligent intellectuals. It is therefore our appeal that his Excellency Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa should not impose a mediocre as the Governor of the State. As a matter of respect to Deltans, he should allow the best to emerge and continue from where he will stop.
The adoption of Olorogun David Edevbie should not be seen from a narrow-minded perspective as the apex body had done due diligence in screening all the aspirants before finally arriving on Olorogun David Edevbie for the overall interest of Delta State.
It is most worrisome that today some Urhobos are being sponsored to tarnish and destroy our valued, revered Urhobo Progress Union because of “Stomach Infrastructure” by so-called Chairmen of Local Government Council in Delta Central who never conducted an election but imposed on the people. Also, some self-acclaimed political leaders because they are ready to sell Urhobo nation for their personal and selfish interests. The most unfortunate is some group who styled themselves Urhobo Youths Coalition or Urhobo Youths, this is an anathema that after the father has spoken some youths and elders should rear their ugly heads.
In 2015, the Anioma nation endorsed and adopted the current Governor Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as their sole candidate, hell was not loose let alone the avalanche of woes and cries from the Anioma nation. So, one wonders why that of Urhobo Progress Union is exceptional. On the issue of whether the UPU has right to play politics, or adopt or sponsor candidates at any given election, our position is YES. Drawing from memory lane UPU was founded principally on the principle of politics and the well being of the Urhobo nation. It was on polities Late Chief Mukoro Mowoe became a member of Western House of Assembly also Late Omowhovo. Similarly, it was because of politics Late Chief Adogbeji Salubi was nominated by UPU and subsequently appointed as commissioner in the Western region.
The Urhobo Progress Union also nominated Chief James Ekpre Otobo as commissioner in Western region. We remembered vividly when aspirants visited Urhobo Progress Union to seek support and blessing of the Union. Therefore our modern politicians who perhaps were brought up outside Urhobo nation are far from the truth as they don’t know the fundamentals of UPU. Before now no one contested and win elections without the support and adoption of UPU. For example, in 1992, under military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, two political parties, namely Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC); the UPU backed Olorogun Felix Ibru of the Social Democratic Party and the Federal Government-sponsored candidate of the National Republican Convention of Chief Eric Opia. The Urhobo nation under UPU took it up as a challenge to deliver Olorogun Felix lbru as first elected Governor of Delta State.
Urhobo Patriotism cannot be sold or negotiated certainly because of peanuts, we are who we are. The Urhobo progress union is the hope of the average Urhobo man and represents the beacon of the entire Urhobo nation. Although all other Governorship aspirants are eminently qualified, the best of the best is what the UPU has done and we of the Urhobo league of patriots align ourselves with the position of the UPU on the choice of Olorogun David Edevbie. Having considered the above positions adumbrated, we wish to commend the All Progressive Congress (APC) on the sole candidature of His Excellency DSP Ovie Omo-Agege. It is our humble position to have both Olorogun David Edevbie and DSP Ovie Omo-Agege as candidates of their respective parties for the 2023 Gubernatorial Election. The Urhobo nation should therefore avail themselves of any of the two candidates come 2023 general elections.
We, therefore, call on our brothers from Delta North and South to respect and key into the position taken by the UPU and direct all their sons and daughters to support Urhobo choice in the person of Olorogun David Edevbie.
ALHAJI MUMAKIA-UNAGHA, Chairman
OGHENE-UDI ARMSTRONG, Secretary
MR. GODWIN IKOLO, Public Relations Officer
