By Ambrose Ologide
A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP leader in Edjeba Ward in Warri South Local Government Area, Chief Isaac Emiforniye (JP) has appealed to Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori to correct the lopsidedness appointment against the Warri Urhobos.
This was contained in a letter to Governor Oborevwori titlled : ‘ Lopsidedness Of Political Appointment in Warri South Local Government Area dated 20th July 2023 made available to the press.
The respected Warri Urhobo activist who bears the title of Ugo ( eagle ) of Agbarha Warri Kingdom drew the attention of the governor to the plights of the Warri Urhobos as regards political appointments in the local government area .
He also humbly observed that of all the appointments made so far by Governor Oborevwori in respect of Warri South Local Government Area, there was no Warri Urhobo indigene .
Ugo as he is fondly called , stated that the Warri Urhobos were far in majority in population and size ( with Agbarha Warri and Okere Urhobo Kingdoms )but were suffering the pains of a minority ethnic group in their home land politically.”
Ugo who also a member of Urhobo Peoples Integrity Organisation ( UPIO) also stated that the Urhobos of Warri were founding members of PDP in the local government area.
” However during our harmonization, which was at the instance of the then governor of the State, we conceded the party Chairman to the Itsekiris with the understanding that we will produce the Council Chairman.
” But since then, apart from 2005 to 2007 when Hon Peter Agiri became the Council Chairman due to the death of the then Chairman, Hon Chief Arthur Diden, the Itsekiris have been holding both the party Chairman and Council Chairman as well as the Secretary to the local government and Education Secretary till date. ” he added.
Ugo further stated that appointment into the positions of commissioners and special advisers that were shared between the two indigenous ethnic groups was jettisoned after the exit of former Governor James Ibori .
He alleged that 44 political appointments were given to the Itsekiris against 9 political appointments of Warri Urhobos in the past dispensation.
Emiforniye noted that in the other Warri Local Government Councils of Warri South West and Warri North the said political positions were shared equally between the indigenous Ijaws and Itsekiris.
” But in the case of Warri South where we are in majority, we are being treated as second class citizens .
” This was one of the reasons many of our party members defected to APC following a promise by the APC governorship candidate Senator Ovie Omo- Agege that he will give the Council Chairmanship position as well as a Commissioner position to the Urhobos of Warri if he became the governor.
“But most of us who still believe in the party and the fact that our kinsman will be the next governor, refused to leave the party.
“In a level playing ground we are very optimistic that there is no way an Urhobo man will not win the local government election in Warri South Local Government.
” Your Excellency, it is a great injustice to Urhobos of Warri for the Itsekiri to occupy the positions of Commissioner and Special Adviser; Council and party Chairmen; State Party officer; Secretary to the Local Government and Local Government Education Secretary, while the Urhobos of Warri are made to hold subordinate positions.
” This is contrary to the principle of zoning as enshrined in our party constitution.
Even in other political appointments the ratio between the Itsekiri and Urhobo in the past government is about 1/4 in favour of the Itsekiri.
How can we deliver in these circumstances when we are not empowered? ” he added.
Emiforniye who is also a member of the prestigious Agbarha Warri League noted that it was the turn of Delta South to produce the State Party Chairman and that there was nothing wrong if the position is giving to the Urhobos of Warri.
While congratulating Governor Oborevwori for his inauguration and recent Supreme Court victory on the case of forgery , he promised that PDP Warri Urhobos will deliver all the wards in their areas if the said lopsideness was corrected.
