THE IMPERATIVES OF REDEFINING URHOBO ETHNIC VALUES/ RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR NEIGHBOURS

"Truth is, as it were, the majority Urhobo ethnic nationality has  gradually  lasped into near political irrelevance, due to a barrage of well coordinated 'assaults' from their neighbours, far and near".... Yugbovwre.

"It is imperative I state at this juncture, that it is my esteemed opinion that for the Urhobo nation to regain its lost Olympian heights, it must jettison its arrogant mentality of going it solo;  political juggernauts from the urhobo nation must embrace and nuture  very  convivial relationships with all tribes in Delta state, most especially, the Isoko ethnic nationality". 

 

As a full blooded  Urhobo man and patriot, I must confess that no independent or sponsored article in recent years, has touched the core of my being like the pointedly factual and exhilarating piece entitled; "ARE THE ISOKOS POLITICAL PAWNS OR VICTIMS OF SERIAL BETRAYALS FROM THEIR NEIGHBORS" written by Prince Cogent Owhe, an indigene of Isoko, spefically from Isoko South Local Government Council Area of Delta state.

The exquisitely superlative write up  constitutes the fulcrum of my new found inspiration to unabashedly introspect and thereof, challenge my revered  kith and kin in Urhobo land to also do a retrospection of their extant circumstances, socio- politically, as presently configurated.  Truth is, as it were, the majority Urhobo ethnic nationality has  gradually  lasped into near political irrelevance, due to a barrage of well coordinated 'assaults' from their neighbours, far and near. 

It is imperative I state at this juncture, that it is my esteemed opinion that for the Urhobo nation to regain its lost Olympian heights, it must jettison its arrogant mentality of going it solo;  political juggernauts from the urhobo nation must embrace and nuture  very  convivial relationships with all tribes in Delta state, most especially, the Isoko ethnic nationality. 

Our once close knit ally and brethren.

Indeed, with benefit of hindsight, the Isokos were once the closest political ally of the urhobos, until avarice, ethnic bigotry and a cesspool of political backstabbing and betrayals from both tribes drove a wedge of mistrust and unrelenting ' bad belle'  between both tribes.

Whilst  the Isokos have  perennially harboured  hostility or disdain  hinged on the  betrayal of more than half a century ago, the Urhobos on the other hand have assumed a supercilious stance anchored on the belief that the Isokos are unnecessarily fastidious and over vengeful.

Irrespective of these claims and counter claims by both tribes, patriots from both ethnic groups have sadly  come to the realization that these petty squabbles is an ill wind that bodes no good fortune for either tribe. 

But while the desirability of a reset cannot be faulted, it should not  be applied wholesale especially at the domestic front  because culpability is in degrees.

For persons of Urhobo descent  who deliberately  caused the wreckage on the  Urhobo nation, no amount of recompense can varnish their sins. But for the fringe and circumstantial offenders, moving forward, there is need to engage with them so that we are properly positioned from the experiential level to identify similar challenges in the future and be proactive in nipping them.

It must not be lost on us that a donee of authority cannot exercise power which the donor of the authority has already taken from him, such was the fate of one of the most harangued politician in Urhobo land  who has been bearing the brunt of our political misfortunes more than the Mastermind who still enjoy heroism from Urhobo of warped and treacherous background. But be it noted, for good or bad, history is always a reminder.

Whilst the Urhobos of progressive persuasions have consistently failed in the last 13 plus years to wrest power from smaller tribes with lesser population,  the Isokos have developed a non mutual beneficial penchant of taking sides against the Urhobos of this genre, in the jinxed belief of paying back the Urhobos for perceived wrongs of yesteryears. Ironically, our Isoko brethren have always been shortchanged and /or overshadowed by other neighbouring tribes and, always left holding the short end of the stick.

With 2023 in the horizon, the Urhobos are poised to make another gambit for the governorship of Delta state and have come to the awkward realization, that an alliance with the Isokos is crucial and salutary. 

Such an alliance is the safest and surest bee line to Government House, Asaba for the Urhobos of progressive persuasions whilst  for our Isoko brothers, it will herald a period of bliss culminating in taking their rightful place on the podium of ethnic nationalities in the state.

For too long, and without gainsaying, the Isokos have played second fiddle to other tribes in Delta state albeit  their membership of the three dominant tribes in Delta South Senatorial District. More of matrimony of strange bedfellows! 

It is our firm belief and hope that  this new unity will ensure that the rotation of offices inclusive of the governorship of the state is not delayed outside the prism of equity for our Isoko brethrens.

Sadly, the Isokos, like their Urhobo brothers / sisters  have been consigned to the lurch by other tribes in Delta south, through an admixture of deft political sagacity and gunboat diplomacy predicated on violence and electoral brigandage despite their huge numerical strength.

Now that our lot has become entwined in the chicanery of Delta state politics, common sense dictates that we must forge a common front to confront our common bogeymen -- carpetbaggers, fifth columnists, party  bigotry and shameless self centered politicians ever ready to sell their people for a jug of tasteless  palm wine.

For this elixir birthed by Prince Cogent Owhe to translate to progress and growth for  both Isoko/ Urhobo people and their communities, the mass of our people must come from the sidelines and do things differently with gusto. And more importantly carpetbaggers from within and culpable political leaders who held us down for this long must be shoved outside, except for those who are willing to 'repent' lest, this well thought out recipe might come to nought. 

Future generation will not forgive us if we fail to forgive and forget issues of the past and harness our separate potentialities into one gigantic political behemoth destined to rewrite the political trajectory of Delta state in lieu of our population, political sagacity and most importantly our educational sophistication.

Now is the time, we must drive home the narrative of brotherliness and one love.

United we stand, divided we fall !

 

Kenneth Yugbovwre, Mph

Conflict Resolution,

Trinity College,

Dublin- Ireland