DELTA 2023: URHOBOS IN DIASPORA SLAM EDEVBIE. .... Oborevwori, Edevbie Face-Off Divisive and Against Unity Of Urhobos. Ochuko Patrick Otoba.

Rt. Hon Francis Oborevwori

"It is very disheartening that at this time and century, the "Urhobo Ovuovo" slogan which is the only slogan of unification of the Urhobo people worldwide, is still very much trampled upon by respected Urhobo elites that are supposed to uphold that slogan." Otoba.

The Urhobos in Burkina Faso and other West African countries have, in its entirety, condemned the actions of Chief David Edebvie, for taking Rt.Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori to court, as a resolution in the political pursuit of his gubernatorial ambition.

"It is very disheartening that at this time and century, the "Urhobo Ovuovo" slogan which is the only slogan of unification of the Urhobo people worldwide, is still very much trampled upon by respected Urhobo elites that are supposed to uphold that slogan."

Dr. Otoba during a crucial meeting of all urhobos held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, noted that, "the Urhobo Ovuovo, as to our own understanding when growing up in Urhobo land, was not a negotiable slogan."

During the Biafran war that captured Benin city, the then capital of the Midwestern region, when Major General David Akpode Ejoor was the governor. He was besieged by the Biafran troops and when this was discussed in the Urhobo Progress Union,  the whole of the Urhobos with this slogan unanimously approved their willingness to rescue and save Ejoor, no matter what. "Takpe Ejoor Tuwenvwi", 'Ejoor must be saved'!

Dr. Ochuko Patrick Otoba states that, for Edevbie to have challenged Oborevwori's credentials after he won and, not before he won the primary is uncalled for, because, they are brothers in a plural dimension. They were Urhobo sons and of the same political party PDP.

We therefore, condemn the act of Edevbie"s action.

The discrepancies in his brother, Oborevwori's credentials was supposed to be an in-house matter. 

First, it was Great Ovedje Ogboru tussle against Ovie Omo-Agege when both are of the APC, both are Urhobos. And now, it is Edevbie taking Oborevwori to court for differences in certificates, when both are PDP. 

Again, Urhobos should, henceforth, avoid the divisive tactics of certain political Godfathers in the name of politics. There ought to be political and moral standards in moralistic political cultures as taught in political science in our universities, home and abroad, in building the good society.

Dr. Otoba believes that, even if Okowa should support one of the many Urhobos, it should have been a thing of joy for all Urhobos in the party to be a brother's keeper of Oborevwori.

The margin of 597 for Oborevwori and 159 for Edebvie has no room for contest.

If he Edebvie contested the primary, based on rigging, that was another case but to take his brother to court because of errors in name of his certificates is what we totally condemn.

The names; 'Oborevwori, Sheriff, Francis and Orohwedor' could not be other peoples name if not his.

After a careful study of the court's pronouncement, I quote:

"it is premature to declare Mr Edevbie as the candidate of the PDP since no nomination has been officially made to INEC."

He also did not declare a fresh primary election to be conducted, saying he did not want to preempt the decision of the party. 

The Urhobos in the diaspora, wish to reiterate that though the matter is now on appeal, we advised that our slogan urhobo ovuovo should hold pre-eminence so that Urhobo will not be further divided.

 

Ochuko Patrick Otoba
DDiv and (Ph.D honorary).
The President General of UPU Burkina Faso

Author, Human Rights Activist.

Ambassador of International Human Rights Commission in Burkina Faso

President, National Association For Fight Against Human Trafficking.

Director General of Diaspora for Accountable Governance Initiative. West Africa (D4AGI) 
Email: chieftobas2019@gmail.com