*Say “We Won’t Endorse Any Aspirant”
By Ovie Okpare
The Council said it had directed the aspirants to meet along their political parties and select the best hands to fly the flag of their parties in the 2023 governorship election.
It, however, said it was the turn of Delta Central to produce the next governor of Delta State in the forthcoming governorship election.
The Council also subsequently denounced endorsing any of the governorship aspirant vying to succeed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the 2023 governorship election.
They made the position known after meeting with governorship aspirants of Urhobo extraction from the various political parties at the palace of Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom on Sunday.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the Council after the meeting, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, His Majesty, King Obukohwo Monday Whiskey, Udurhie 1, said the essence of the directive was to enable Urhobo aspirants emerged governorship candidates of the various political parties.
Udurhie 1 said the Council, which comprised all Urhobo traditional rulers, would not endorse any candidate as all the aspirants were their sons and daughters and it was their duty to pray for their successes.
He emphasised that it was their duty as royal fathers, in line with the directive to reduce their numbers ahead of their primaries, to counsel them to ensure that the next governor of Delta State hails from Urhobo Nation.
“On behalf of Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council, we met today, 15th May, 2022. Principally, we invited all Urhobo governorship aspirants across all political parties to discuss with them the way forward and to let them know as Royal Fathers the need to counsel them and also to pray for them. They came, we have discussed.
“We told them we are for the unity of Urhobo and to ensure that Urhobo produce the next governor of Delta State that all the governorship aspirants across the parties should go back among themselves to synergise, choose a workable and acceptable aspirant that will stand for the various primaries.
“The intention is to ensure that Urhobo does not miss the slot. They responded promptly. We have advised them and we have prayed for them. On behalf of the Ukoko R’ Ivie of Urhobo Nation, I was given a clear mandate to tell you the decisions we took.
“The decisions are that, firstly, the governorship of Delta State this time around, it’s the turn of Delta Central. As a result of that, we have invited our sons and daughters from across all the political parties and they have also responded. We have also requested them to go and synergise and put their house of order to ensure that Urhobo doesn’t miss the slot.
“We have not endorsed anyone as our governorship aspirant from any party whether APC or PDP. It’s not the duty of Urhobo Traditional Rulers to endorse any political aspirant. We are their royal fathers and, as fathers, we pray for all our children and we also advise them. Nobody was endorsed, and nobody will be endorsed. We are a traditional institution”, the revered monarch stated.
Our correspondent who arrived the venue of the meeting late sighted some of the governorship aspirants including; former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori and former Sapele Council Chairman, Chief Ejaife Odebala leaving the palace.
Among the traditional rulers present at the meeting are; Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (rtd), Orhue 1; Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, His Majesty, Dr. Ovie Richard Ogbon, Oghoro 1; Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I; Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Dr Wilson Ojakovo, Oharisi III and Ovie of Agbarho-Otor Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle, Okorefe 1.
Others are the Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Mike Omeru, Ogurime-Rime, Ukori 1; Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom, His Royal Majesty,Ememoh II; His Majesty, King Obukohwo Monday Whiskey, Udurhie 1; Osuivie of Agbarho, HRM Samson Owhe, Ogugu 1; Ovie of Umiaghwa Abraka kingdom, HRM Air Vice Marshal Lucky Ararile, Avwaeke 1; Ovie of Arhavwarien Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Okukeren III and Ovie of Okparebe Kingdom, HRM Andrew Oghenevwodo, Osaka 111.
