By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq
Board Chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Desopadec, Rt Hon (Evangelist) Michael Diden, popularly known as Ejele by his teeming supporters, has unequivocally stated that come 2023, the next governor after the tenure of Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, will emerge from Urhobo nation of Delta Central Senatorial District.
Ejele gave the assurance in Sapele, when the Urhobo for Governor lobby team of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, comprising President Generals of the 24 kingdoms and executive members of the national body; met with him to have cordial interface concerning the the ongoing lobby for power shift to Delta
Central Senatorial District.
Diden, who is also the Chairman of Delta Political Vanguard, DPV, went down memory lane to clearly and humorously articulate the age long relationship between Itsekiri and Urhobo nations, and emphasised the need to further boost the ancient union through political partnership and peaceful coexistence.
He posited that majority of Deltans are rooting for the sustainability of power rotation, and it is only fair for an Urhobo Governor to emerge as Okowa’s successor in 2023.
Leader of UPU delegation and first Vice President of the sociocultural organisation, Chief Dr Captain Anthony Onoharigho, assured that Urhobo nation will always be their brothers keeper, Delta North and South, pointing out that Urhobo will be there, ready and willing to support Delta South whenever the need arises.
He said UPU under the incumbent President General, Olorogun Moses Taiga, is determined to take Urhobo nation to the next level, and will remain apolitical while leaving politics for professional politicians.
“Our interest as a sociocultural organisation of Urhobo nation, is to do the needful and ensure we reinforce the cordial relationships we share with our brothers and people of North and South, and it has been remarkable and reassuring.
“Your kind words and assurances rekindled our hope that Urhobo Governor will emerge from Delta Central Senatorial District, come 2023.
“Thank you for the invaluable and superlative hospitality accorded us. You are indeed, a kind and good soul,” Onoharigho said.
In the same vein, UPU delegation was in Isoko and Warri where they had fruitful interface with leaders of Isoko Development Union, IDU, and Itsekiri Leaders of Thoughts, to solicit support for Urhobo for Governor, 2023.
President General of IDU, Prof Chris Akpotu said UPU visit was very timely and that they share certain similarities; being the sociocultural umbrella of Isoko Nation, adding that the quest for Urhobo Governor from Delta Central Senatorial District is a welcome development, because no one particular senatorial district can do it alone.
IDU leadership noted with nostalgia that governor Okowa, has been fair to the three senatorial districts, and that the next governor must be a bridge builder, detribalised and must be a team player.
Prof Akpotu, urged UPU to remain apolitical while working to garner support for her goals, especially the Urhobo for Governor 2023 project.
In the same vein, the Chairman of Itsekiri Leaders of Thoughts, Chief Edward Ekpoko, said Urhobo nation and stakeholders should ensure that the two other Senatorial districts, North and South, as well as leaders of other ethnic nationalities are involved in the choice of suitable person for the job, adding that the choice must be a core system player, humble, a team player and popular, among other qualities.
UPU Urhobo for Governor team, will now shift focus on Delta North Senatorial District, as final port of call, and will meet with leaders of Ndokwa Development Union, on Tuesday July 27, 2021.
The group has achieved remarkable successes in her drive to ensure the Urhobo 2023 governorship project.