2023: Ethiope East Political Forum Reconvenes, Commits To Urhobo Governorship Project

••• Says Diplomacy, Lobby, Key To Realization Of Delta Central Governorship Bid

….Reiterates Support For Governor Ifeanyi Okowa

Ethiope East Political Forum has said the group is avowedly committed to the Urhobo Governorship project, come 2023.

Speaking at an enlarged gathering of the forum at his Kokori country home on Sunday, the convener, Rt Hon. {Barr} Akpodiogaga Sunny Emeyese, affirmed that Ethiope East political leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party are committed to the unity of her people and an Urhobo governorship candidature in 2023.

The ex- Federal lawmaker who spoke on behalf of party leaders from the LGA hinted that reconvening the EEPF became necessary in projecting a strong and united front for Ethiope East as political permutations for 2023 gathers momentum.

“This meeting is about the unity of the Ethiope East People, especially in the light of the recent political happenings in our dear state. As we edge closer to 2023 and the politics of who becomes governor continue to take shape, political actors across Ethiope East must speak in one voice and project a united front. This meeting serves to drive that purpose.”

The EPF declared total support for His Excellency, Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa and tasked party faithful across all ranks to support the Governor as he works relentlessly to deliver good governance to all Deltan’s.

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“The Ethiope East Political Forum and indeed, the Urhobo nation supports Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and must continue to do so as he strives to finish strong. Our appeal is for our amiable governor to.find grace in our agitation AMD Urhobo candidature in 2023.”

The Convener warned against acts that are capable of heating up the polity and stoking the tinderbox of inter-ethnic discord, noting that the people of Delta Central must set aside the entitlement mentality and work painstakingly for the support of all stakeholders and ethnic nationalities.

“This noble agitation can’t be achieved by unnecessarily throwing tantrums, or fueling hate speeches against the governor or other ethnic nationalities whose support is direly needed to achieve our goal,” he averred.

Olorogun Emeyese discarded insinuations in some quarters that the EEPF reconvened to mobilize support for Governor Okowa’s intention of ceding the governorship position to a non-Urhobo candidate in 2023, describing the claim as a pathological lie of monumental proportion and a cheap attempt to mislead the public.

He stated that the entire leadership architecture of the Ethiope East PDP remains avowedly committed to 2023 Urhobo governorship agitation.

The immediate past Special Adviser on Community Enterprise Development to the government of Delta State, noted that inasmuch as the EEPF commits to the Urhobo governorship project, the need for the region to be intentional about the employment of diplomacy in lobbying other senatorial Districts and ethnic blocs across the state for a successful outing cannot under any guise be downplayed.

“The position of the Ethiope East Political Forum is very clear – It is 100% support for the Urhobo Governorship agitation come 2023. However, it is important to note that the Urhobo nation cannot do it alone. Therefore, we are calling on all Urhobos to deploy the instrumentality of acceptable political schemings, in reaching out to all ethnic nationalities across the state for the realization of our pursuit,” he said.

Reacting to rumours that he is supporting an anti-Urhobo governorship crusade in exchange for a Deputy Governorship slot compensation, the renowned political leader and lawmaker dismissed the narrative as false and misleading, and a figment of the imagination of rumour mongers.

For over 20 years, the Ethiope East Political Forum has served as the foremost political umbrella for politicians in the LGA.

Sunday’s meeting attracted a wide spread of political heavyweight and party stalwarts across the LGA.

Amongst others were Rt. Hon. {Barr}. Akpodiogaga Sunny Emeyese, Convener and Immediate Past Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Delta State, Olorogun Barr Arthur Akpowowo, Immediate Past Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Delta State, Chief Young Esiekpe, Former Executive Chairman, Ethiope East LGA, High Chief Mike Adiotomre, Member Delta State Advisory Committee.

Also in attendance were Barr. George Orogun, Former Commissioner For Finance, Delta State, Okakuro Okiemute Kent Akigho, Commissioner Representing Ughelli North, Ethiope East and Urhobo’s in Patani on the Board of DESOPADEC, Chief Judith Enamuotor, Member, PDP Board of Trustees and Delta State Advisory Committee, Chief Hon. Tony Oboroh, Member, Delta Development and Property Authority {DDPA}.

Others are Chief {Barr}. Mrs. Mary Iyasere, ably represented by Mrs. Ese Monica Otorho, Engr. Blessing Enamuotor, Director, Delta Central, Direct Labour Agency, Chief Soso Enakerakpo, Dr. {Pharm}. Lucky Otegheri, Hon. John Esinone Chief {Barr}. Chris Egbonoje and Rev. Fr. Charles Bishop Epetuku.

General Augustine Ogedegbe, Hon Julius Eguvwebere, Okakuro Oturu Solomon, Chief Polycarp Okpara, Mr. Cyril Aghware, Sir. Joe Ayomah, Chief Blessing Eyagomare, Barr. Sylvester Akpokiniovo, Chief Hon. Collins Eboh, Hon. Ishegbe Onoriode, Comrade Iggue Oghenero, Hon. Patrick Oghenerhoro {Paleke} amongst others, were in attendance.