By Omoghene Benedict
Urhobo Progress Union, UPU the apex socio-cultural body of the Urhobo nation has urged politicians from Delta Central to partner and lobby politicians from Delta North and South to actualise the dream of producing the next governor in 2023.
This call was made by the president general of Urhobo Progress Union, Olorogun Moses Taiga at the Urhobo Cultural center in Uvwiamughe-Agbarho, Ughelli North local government area of Delta state when the Delta Central 2023 paid a courtesy visit to UPU and forum of President Generals of 24 kingdoms of Urhobo nation.
According to UPU, “You will all agree with me that there is so much to do in our valid and moral quest to produce the next governor of the State. It is a challenge that we must be prepared to handle and achieve with all the finesse, statesmanship and diplomacy that we can muster and deploy as Urhobo people.
“I commend the leadership and members of DC-23 for finding it worthwhile to visit UPU to inform us of your goals and objectives at this early stage of your activities.
“Let me here reiterate that the 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 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.
“This is not the time for negative politics, divisiveness, and unhealthy intra-party and intra-ethnic competitions. We must imbibe the spirit of patriotism, tolerance and sportsmanship in the days ahead
“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.
“In our unity lies our strength. As they say in spiritual parlance, 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.
“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.
“The UPU has put in place a committee, headed by the First Deputy President-General, Chief (Capt.) Anthony Onoharigho, to synergize with the Urhobo political class (across party lines) on our aspiration for Government House, Asaba in 2023 and I am seeking the cooperation of everyone in making the work of this committee a success”.
On his part, the national chairman of Delta Central lobby group, DC-23 Chief Ighoyota Amori said, “The governorship seat having gone round the three senatorial districts, it would be necessary for it to shift back to Delta Central Senatorial District come 2023, and that it will be easier through peaceful and humble engagement with stakeholders of Delta North and South Senatorial Districts.
Chief Amori noted that despite the unequivocal reality that its the turn of Delta Central Senatorial District to occupy the number one seat of the state come 2023, there was still need to make all stakeholders agree to their terms as they don’t have powers to shut out any qualified person who is willing to contest.
“There are qualified Urhobo aspirants who have indicated interest to contest the 2023 governorship. Some are with us here, while others are not with us here but they will come and indicate their interest to the kings and UPU at their own time”.
