The leadership of the Delta Central 2023 (DC-23) on Tuesday met with traditional rulers from Urhobo nation and the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) led by the President-General, Olorogun Moses Taiga, to intimate them of the formation and goal of the group.
The Chief Ighoyota Amori led national leadership of DC-23 had a robust engagement with the Urhobo monarchs at the palace of the Chairman, Forum of Urhobo Traditional Rulers, HRM, Dr. (Ovie) R.L. Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro 1, the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area.
Urhobo Cultural Centre at Uvwiamuge-Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area was the venue for the DC-23 visit to the UPU.
The monarchs and UPU gave their blessings to the DC-23 which aims to actualise an Urhobo governor of Delta State come 2023.
DC-23 National Chairman, Chief Ighoyota Amori at both visits noted that it was paramount for the group to first officially inform the Urhobo traditional rulers and the UPU about its mission and get their blessings before interfacing with critical stakeholders and other interests in the state to muscle enormous support for the realisation of an Urhobo governor in the 2023 general elections.
Chief Amori emphasized that the group remains very formidable in the task of ensuring a smooth transition of power to Delta Central in 2023.
In a written speech, UPU President General said: “Urhobo Progress Union is nonpartisan and non-aligned, politically. We serve no other interests than that of the Urhobo Nation.
“UPU does not discriminate; it is a father of all. However, UPU is not averse to receiving pro-Urhobo bodies, associations and groups that genuinely seek to promote the interest of the Urhobo Nation and are driving the conversation on ways to achieving our interests.
“All Urhobo sons and daughters are members of UPU. So, irrespective of political affiliation, religious and socio-cultural leaning, the UPU, under my leadership, will gladly offer prayers and blessing to any of our son or daughter seeking any political office, but with a mandate to go and only promote, project and defend the Urhobo interest in whatever venture or aspiration they set out to achieve. That we shall do, without fear or favour.”
Continuing Olorogun Taiga said: “… let me use DC-23, as a ‘Point of Contact’ to the entire Urhobo Political Class (be it PDP, APC, Labour Party, or indeed any other party) by emphasizing on the need for unity, coherence and homogeneity in the face of the impending challenge before us.
“Victory starts with the voter’s register, then voting and ensuring the votes count. Collectively, we must all work towards surmounting every barrier that may make it difficult for any eligible Urhobo voter to exercise his/her fundamental right to vote.
“The apathy of our people towards election must be addressed by all and effectively tackled if we are to hit the target on the ballot.
“Let me assure you that the UPU is ready to take on this challenge before us! However, it cannot be done without you, the political class, just as it cannot be done without the collective resolve of the entire Urhobo people.
“Towards this end, the UPU has put in place a committee, headed by the First Deputy President-General, Chief (Capt.) Anthony Onoharigho, to synergise with the Urhobo political class (across party lines) on our aspiration for Government House, Asaba in 2023. I seek the cooperation of everyone in making the work of this committee a success.”