Delta Governorship: Two UPU factions endorse Emerhor, Ogboru as Urhobo sole candidate

A deadlocked meeting of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, has factionalized the apex Urhobo leadership organ with each faction endorsing two different Urhobo sons as Urhobo sole candidate for this month's governorship election.

The meeting held under closed doors in Mosogar, Ethiope West Council Area drifted into conflict when dissenting members staged a walkout at the insistence by Chief Joe Omene, UPU President General, PG, for members to vote who becomes Urhobo sole candidate between Olorogun O'tega Emerhor, All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship flag bearer and Chief Great Ogboru of Labour Party, LP.

Moments after the walk out led by 1st Deputy PG, Chief Tuesday Onoge and Chief Omene addressed the press, disclosing that the consenting members who stayed behind had picked Chief Ogboru of LP as Urhobo, Delta Central sole candidate for the governorship election.

Responding to press, the dissenting faction declared Chief Omene removed as PG and his second in command, Chief Onoge appointed Acting PG, accusing Omene of imposing his personal will to undermine collective Urhobo interest.

The press release signed by Chief Onoge in his capacity as Acting PG and Mumakai Unagha, Assistant Publicity Secretary, read, "After frequent visits to Aso Rock, which clearly have compromised him, Chief Omene was now determined to make mockery of the Urhobo nation by dumping the sacred and collective will of the people as expressed in the Uvwiamuge Declaration.

"In spite of the directives by the forum of Ivies (Kings) and Urhobo Clergy to the contrary, he is determined to coerce and rush the Urhobo into a fatal decision to support the PDP/ Jonathan, Labour/Ogboru, a ticket alien to the Uvwiamuge Declaration when PDP failed to give it's governorship ticket to Urhobo and Labour is not a national party."

The statement further accused Chief Omene's camp of endangering Urhobo collective interest in the rush to push Urhobo endorsement of PDP/Jonathan ticket before the outcome of the presidential election against the advice and position of all well meaning Urhobos.

"Not knowing which party will win the Presidential election, the imminent danger is that in the event of a miscalculation, the Urhobo nation will be in opposition and elongated suffering"

"UPU will stand firm and uphold the honour and integrity of Urhobo people by not abandoning Uvwiamuge Declaration and to accord its beneficiaries full recognition. Accordingly, the qualifying ticket of APC/Buhari/Emerhor is hereby Endorsed by UPU", the Chief Onoge led UPU declared.

It called for the Urhobo nation to remain calm, assuring that mobilization has already began to galvanize youths, women and leaders in all composing kingdoms to respect and support The Uvwiamuge accord over the coming election.

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