Ibori, Okowa Lament Disunity In Urhobo Union over Politics

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori for the first time, over the weekend commented on the leadership crisis rocking Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) saying that the Urhobo nation made an error by involving politics with the activities of the socio-cultural body.

Chief Ibori barred his mind just as the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa reaffirmed his believe in the Urhobo people who he said played a major role in his emergence as governor of the state.

Okowa and Ibori made their positions known at the 86th annual Urhobo national day and unveiling of the Urhobo Educational Curriculum held at the Urhobo Cultural Center, Uvwiamughe, Ughelli North council area of the state.
Governor Okowa in his address, said: “I have no apology identifying with the Urhobo nation. I also want to commend the efforts of the Urhobo kings for making Delta Central peaceful.”

Giving his scorecard in Delta Central, the governor stated that his administration have embarked on the construction of 153 roads adding that 50 of such roads are in Delta Central.

Addressing the crowd that thronged the venue, Chief Ibori who spoke passionately in Urhobo language on the crisis rocking the UPU and the state of Urhobo Cultural centre said: “Is this really befitting of the Urhobo nation?
“No one is bigger than Urhobo even myself. With my experience in state and national politics, am eminently qualified to advice the Urhobo nation on politics. I would be the best to concede that we made an error. Let’s remove politics from the activities of UPU.

“We as Urhobos have the force in this country to move forward but because of disunity we are being held back and this is totally unhelpful. I have pledged that I would never deceive the Urhobo nation, you might dislike me for saying my mind but I would continue to stand by the Urhobo nation.

UPU President, General Olorogun Moses Taiga, had said that the people of Uvwiamughe community have given the UPU land for the establishment of the Mukoro Mowoe University which he said would cater for the educational needs of Urhobos.

He said: “In 2018, we would commence the establishment of the Mukoro Mowoe University with an application for the university through the National Universities Commission.”

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