As the race for the Governorship of Delta State continues to gather momentum ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections,
the Ughelli South Youths and Leaders Forum (USYLF) have condemned the unjustifiable adoption of Chief David Edevwie by the Chief Moses Tagar led Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) as the candidate of the Urhobo People, without due recourse and consultation with the generality of Urhobo Citizens and other key stakeholders.
In a statement issued after an emergency meeting at Oguname-Olomu in Ughelli South Local Government Area , and jointly signed by Chief Samuel Oghotomo (JP), Prince Sony Jifas Ogbon (JP), Comr. Francis Akatika., Comr. Sadiq Hitler , Comr. Balogun Ivwromonena, Comr. Morrison Agago, Chief. Wilson Mokoro and Hon. Kingsley Oyibo, the elite Group said the Urhobo People need an agile aspirant that will serve as a bridge between the younger stakeholders and the elders in the Urhobo Nation, a disciplined and sincere individual who believes in equity and one who is accessible, and wondered the yardstick used by the Urhobo Socio-cultural body in arriving at their unpopular and extremely unacceptable decision.
The Group stated that ” it is ridiculous for the Chief Moses Tagar led UPU to endorse Chief David Edevwie as the preferred choice of the Urhobo people without due consultation with the generality of the Urhobo People, and a feasible political structure in place, and urge the leadership of the body to rescind its decision in the best interest of the People. “.
According to the elite Group , the Urhobo Progressive Union does not have any constitutional right whatsoever to interfere in the internal affairs of political parties.
Rather, the UPU should focus more in promoting unity among the Urhobos that are contesting for the Delta State Governorship Seat, instead of sowing unnecessary seed of discord among the people by consistently adopting Chief Edevbie in every election over other better qualified Urhobo Sons and Daughters.
“This similar act of ignominy by the UPU in the 2015 elections, almost truncated the well established Governorship rotation arrangement in Delta State.
The Ughelli South Youths and Leaders Forum (USYLF) accordingly enjoined the peace loving Urhobo speaking people of Delta State to out rightly disregard the minority decision of some undemocratic members of the UPU , and not to allow any imposition of candidates ahead of the Party primaries and general elections.
The Group also appealed to the PDP to ensure that the forthcoming Party primaries is conducted in a peaceful and rancour free atmosphere where majority of members would be happy with the outcome, while commending Governor Okowa for his fair administrative, and political disposition to all sector of the State , particularly in the areas of human capital and infrastructural development, as well as his consistent commitment to supervise, and ensure the effective administration of Delta State through his enviable leadership, as evident in his good works and exceptional record of accomplishments.
