This was disclosed yesterday at Mosogar, in Ethiope West local government area, by the first Deputy President General of Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU, Engr (Chief) Joe Omene.
Omene maintained that it was the turn of Urhobo to produce the next governor to take over from the outgoing Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2015, lamenting that the most populated ethnic group in the state is being marginalised at the federal level.
According to him, Urhobo gave over 800,000 votes to president goodluck Jonathan in the last presidential election, and wondered why the same Urhobo people have been so regrettably sidelined, and marginalised in the scheme of things.
“It is pertinent we have our own fair share in terms of federal government patronage. Today, the Delta North is having the state capital as against the wish of other people from the core Delta State and, at the same period, they are clamoring for the governorship of the state, it is unpractical politically”
He recalled that, during the struggle for the creation of the state, the Anioma people argued for their own state while the rest people also clamoured for their own state, but then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida deemed it fit that two states could not be created, hence he decided to create Delta State with the capital in Asaba.
Omene, while contending that Chief James Ibori from Delta Central had completed his eight years tenure, the incumbent governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is almost completing his eight years tenure, the UPU boss then argued that the governorship should come back to the Delta Central since Delta North is still retaining the state capital.
“Unfortunately, both the Delta South and Central have nothing to show for the unflinching support. Our Delta North brothers are presently occupying twelve (12) important positions in the federal system that would have evenly be distributed among the three senatorial districts”, remarked Chief Omene.
Consequently, Chief Omene therefore vowed that the Urhobo will use their numerical strength to clinch the governorship come 2015 through the ballot box.
“We are presently creating awareness for all Urhobos both home and in the Diaspora to come home to register and cast their votes. In this way, Urhobo will vote for any candidate irrespective of political affiliation that will rule the state come 2015”, Omene added further.
We are aware of the rigging scheme but we are battle ready to ensure that sanity prevails hence we have decided to follow the ballot box to its destination”, added the Deputy UPU helmsmen.
He bemoaned a situation where Urhobo, the second largest ethnic group in the south/south political zone is having just only one candidate at the ongoing Confab while others who are not even from any oil producing community have more than one delegate.
Engr. Omene however commended the Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for his foresight and wisdom in piloting the affairs of the state, adding that Urhobo will ever remain grateful to him for ensuring that the dividends of democracy were evenly distributed to all and sundry.
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