16 Jan 2005 |
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| By Eugene Uzum Perplexed and concerned about the political tussle between the various senatorial districts in Delta State cum agitations and scheming for the gubernatorial elections come 2007, it has become imperative that the Urhobo nation be reminded that the rays of history and fate stares patiently into their action as they stand between Scylla and Charybdis in deciding on power concession either to delta north or south senatorial district, since the last two governors where produced by delta central senatorial district. A school of thought posits that equity, justice and fairplay would be achieved by enthroning a people oriented government through a well articulated principle of power shift come 2007, while the other maintain that power shift is unconstitutional and as such the delta central should be prepared for another shot at government house Asaba in 2007. The Urhobo nation cannot be underestimated in the struggle towards achieving an egalitarian society in Delta State, Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. Urhobos as a nation started its struggle as far back as 3rd November 1931. The Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) under the leadership of an outstanding Urhobo nationalist, Chief Mukoro Mowoe, was founded. Urhobo nation played a remarkable role in the defunct Midwestern State of Nigeria with special attribute to Chief Jereton Mariere, a detribalized nationalist who settled in Agbor, the then Bini province. The position of Urhobo nation in Delta State has been and will always remain relevant in the determination of who occupies the government house in Asaba. For the avoidance of doubt, Urhobo towns consist of Agbarha Ame, Agbarho Otor, Agbarho Agbo, Arhavwarien, Abraka, Effurun, Egwhu, Adeje, Oghara, Ogor, Okere, Okpe, Olomu, Orogun, Udu, Ughelli, Ughievwen, Uvwie and Ughwerun amongst others in the Delta Central senatorial district. Prominent scholars and nationalists emerged from Urhoboland, amongst whom are Chief Mukoro Mowoe, Chief Festus Okotie Eboh, Chief Daniel Okumagba, Chief Rex Akpofure, Reverend Father G. Akanu, Chief Adogbeji Salubi, Senator Dafinone, Olorogun Felix Ibru, Chief Michael Ibru, Chief James Edewor, Barr. Patrick Okuneh Arho, Senator Fred Brumeh amongst others. Today, Urhobo Progressive Union under the leadership of Chief Benjamin Okumagba Otota of Okere is viewed in some quarters like a maverick because of alleged controversial stand in the crisis between Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo dispute in Warri. Many portray Chief Benjamin Okumagba as an antagonist of the Urhobo agenda; many also feel that there is a need to confront the alleged dangerous slide in Urhobo leadership. Whatever be the position held by Urhobos on Urhobo leadership, there is a burning need to reposition the Urhobo ideology to be in consonance with power and being relevant now and after 2007. Some sections of Urhobo elites maintain that Urhobo towns and villages, which constitute Delta Central senatorial district, have about 60percent of the entire population in Delta State. Based on records from the archives of 1991 population census figures, the total population of Delta State was 2,595,764. Below is a breakdown of figures: Delta Central 936,707 36.1% Delta North 793,517 30.6% Delta South 865,540 33.3% I want to place on record that Delta Central does not have 60 percent, it is a sheer falsehood for the central district to lay such erroneous claim to a population it does not posses, it is a mere figment of the imagination of disgruntled elements from that zone to hoodwink the entire State. Delta Central senatorial district have 36.1% of the population of Delta State, but a lot has changed with influx of population into Asaba and its environs. In all, the Urhobo nation led by Chief Benjamin Okumagba has been, and is still among the major ethnic groups in Delta State and as such, need to pilot socio-political development in the State through acceptable and constructive formula that will ensure that Delta State remains strong, united and enviable among the league of States in Nigeria. I strongly remind those criticizing power-shift that if power did not rotate from the north to western Nigeria in 1999, it would have amounted to gross injustice. I also put on record that an agitation by the Easterners, South-South and Northerners that Presidential powers should move from the western bloc to other sections of the country is deductive and a well articulated opinion. I anchor my argument that if power is to shift as being articulated by Orlu Senatorial District in Imo, Abia, Edo, and Bayelsa States with the various Senatorial Districts of the above mentioned state, and the leadership of NDDC is being rotated between the States in the Niger Delta region, the clamor for power to move to Delta North or South remains the bedrock for lasting peace, equity and justice in Delta State. In my opinion, the Urhobos of Delta State should continue in the clamor for power shift, they should as well practice what is being preached even at the State level. Some quarters in Urhobo nation argue that it’s all about majority; if that is the fundamental basis of Executive position, then issues like zoning of the office of the President and Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairmanship of House Committees and Federal Character should be set aside. Whatever happens in 2007 is going to be a precedent for either a rational and peaceful political transition, or a political tsunami in 2011. Therefore if Urhobo nation is the deciding factor as they claim, Chief Benjamin Okumagba & Urhobo nation has a date with fate in 2007. Chief Okumagba should prevail on his subjects both at home and abroad to listen to the voice of reason by supporting a non-Urhobo candidate for the governorship of Delta State in 2007. In doing that, they should forge ahead and present a viable democrat who will blaze the trail and continue from where his Excellency Chief James Onanefe Ibori is going to stop. Politicians from Delta North and South have already signaled their interest, but the so-called core Delta factor are already intimidating some of them, while other candidates within the North senatorial district believe that their conviction on 2007 is a baby that has been born and as such cannot be aborted. I also wish to state that Delta North senatorial district have resolved that resigning to fate is to cripple fast and as such, the struggle must continue. So no intimidation or retardation can stop their resolve for 2007. 2007 remains a date with fate for our dear brothers in Urhobo land to make Delta State the envy of all States. Eugene Uzum Esq. President, Nigeria Reformers Academy (NRA), United Kingdom nigdel55@yahoo.com
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