Warri South: Urhobo leaders in APC split, produce two chairmen

A major controversy is brewing amongst Urhobo leaders in the All Progressives Congress, APC in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, as two separate chairmen; Olorogun Bernard Okumagba and Prof. (Chief) Israel Abido, have emerged after separate meetings held within 24hours.

Fresh Angle International, understands that while former Delta State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, was elected as Chairman / Leader of Warri Urhobo Members of the APC during a “unity meeting” held Thursday July 24 at Peggy Hotel, Warri, Prof. Israel Abido, was reportedly chosen as leader of Warri Urhobos of the APC, during a meeting purportedly held at the residence of Prof. Abido in Ekpan via Warri, Friday July 25.

Interestingly, the emerging divide, revealed existing gulf between the old members of the All Progressives Congress and the PDP defectors (new members of All Progressives Congress).

While Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, an ex-member of Delta State Executive Council, belongs to the older members of the APC, said to be backed by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Prof. Israel Abido, who incidentally was reportedly elected as “Vice Chairman /Deputy Leader of Warri Urhobo Members of the APC” during the Thursday meeting at Peggy Hotel, is among new members of the All Progressives Congress, that recently defected from the PDP to the APC, on the instruction of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

Feelers from the Friday meeting that adopted Prof. Abido as the leader, indicated that the former PDP Chieftain, wasn’t disposed to the Vice Chairman/Deputy Leader’s position ascribed to him during the Thursday “unity meeting”.

A Source at the meeting held Friday July 25 in the residence of Chief Abido told This Flagship Niger Delta Online Newspaper on phone: “The leader of Urhobos of Warri, is not conducted by election, leaders usually emerge.

“Israel Abido, was the Vice Chairman to the late Orosuen, after which he became the leader of Warri Urhobos in PDP.

“It appears that there is a faction headed by Ovie Omo-Agege, Benson Obire and Bernard Okumagba, to split Warri Urhobos in APC. There is a tussle between new and old Warri Urhobos in APC.

“Old APC members, headed by Ovie Omo-Agege, Benson Obire, Bernard Okumagba, feel they are the ones to control the grassroots of the Urhobos of Warri.”

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