The people of Okere-Urhobo kingdom on Wednesday condemned a press briefing led by Poko Opuoru political group ,saying they reject the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC recommendations for the delineation of Wards in Warri Federal Constituency.
The people of Okere-Urhobo kingdom made the condemnation during a press briefing held at the palace of the Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo kingdom,Owhotemu II.
Speaking further Chief John Edgar Eranvor stressed that the people of Okere-Urhobo are peace loving people that have respect for constituted authority.
He added that the Opuoru’s led group rejection of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC recommendations as regards to the delineation of Wards in Warri Federal Constituency is not the position of the people of okere Urhobo kingdom,stressing that they made the statement for their own selfish purpose and not for the interest of the kingdom .”the Opuoru group do not represent the interest of the okere Urhobo kingdom” he added .
He noted that the integrity of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom cannot be mortgaged for personal political interest,” adding that integrity is what we are here to protect.”
Chief John Edger, the Uloho of Okere-Urhobo, said the people were still “studying” the INEC’s report and would make their observations and position known at the appropriate time.
Flanked by other traditional Chiefs, women as well as youths of the kingdom, Edger urged the general public, particularly concerned stakeholders to disregard the views expressed by Opuoru, stating that they do not reflect the position of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom.
“It is true that the document which INEC gave to the various ethnic nationalities at a stakeholders conference on 4th of April, we have received it and we are still studying it. At the appropriate time, directives would be given on how to react to it.
Others who spoke included Chief, Femi Okumagba, Chief Frank Okolobe and Chief Lawrence Akpoveso in the same vein declared that the Opouru group had “no right” to speak for the people without recourse to constituted authority.
They noted that those in the Briefing by the Opouru group did not get the consent of Okere-Urhobo kingdom.
They stated that ‘We have a committee in charge of the delineation, constituted by the Okere-Urhobo kingdom and Agbarha-Warri kingdom. We are working as a team as Urhobos of Warri. They don’t have the consent of Okere-Urhobo kingdom.
Also speaking the Youth President of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom,Hon Okpako Eboh explained that the seven-day window given by INEC to the ethnic nationalities to make their observations was still being explored by the people
“INEC gave a seven-day window for those who feel there is any discrepancies in the report that was submitted to stakeholders last week. While the leadership of Okere-Urhobo kingdom were still studying it, we were shocked when we got wind of the press briefing that was held yesterday.
He stated that the Okere-Urhobo people and Agbarha Warri kingdom have been working in synergy,as all the documents were presented as Urhobos of Warri.
Opuoru, an ex-lawmaker who represented the people at the State House of Assembly had on Tuesday evening, convened a press briefing where he and some other political players in Okere-Urhobo kingdom rejected the outcome of the INEC delineation exercise as it concerned Warri South Local Government Area.
The Opuoru led group expressed disappointment over INEC recommendations .
