PDP Warri Urhobos Applaud, Appreciate Oborevwori Over Appointment Of Abido

By Ambrose Ologide

The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) Warri Urhobo members have commended and appreciated Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori over the appointment of their National Leader, Dr ( Chief ) Israel Abido JP as a member of Delta State Advisory And Peace Building Council.

Those who spoke to our correspondent shortly after the inauguration of the council at Asaba recently, expressed delight over the appointment as they said that it will make the Urhobos of Warri have a sense of belonging on matters concerning the state on peace building particularly as it affects the Warri area.

Chief Isaac Emiforniye JP who was recently appointed by Governor Oborevwori as a Senior Special Assistant ( SSA) stated that the appointment will foster peace and justice among the Warri indigenous ethnic groups.

The immediate past President of the prestigious Agbarha Warri Leagu, Comrade Kingsley Orekevwie who spoke volumes about the appointment , also expressed the same opinion .

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He however appealed for more appointments for the Urhobos of Warri to reflect their population and size as he stated that the Urhobos have 7 out of the 12 Federal Ward Structure in Warri South Local Government Area.

He alleged that inspite of the overwhelming size and population of the Warri Urhobos ” we have been suffering the pains of minority in our home land ”

” The landmark Supreme Court Judgement in suit Nos SC/ 309/ 74 and other court cases delivered in favour of us are enough to convince anybody that the Urhobos of Warri are true owners of their areas in Warri ” he added .

He also called for the release of the white paper reports on the Warri ethnic crisis headed justices Philip Nnamaeka Agu , Allasan Idoko and Major General Theophilus Danjuma ” the Itsekiris and Warri Urhobos presented their cases of proof of ownership of their areas at these panels of inqury ” he stated.

Orekevwie also pointed out that prominent Itsekiris such as the Chairman of Warri South Local Government , Dr Michael Tidi , the Temiles among others bought lands from Warri Urhobos people where they have their permanent homes ” but yet they say that we are their customary tenants ” he added

Speaking politically, Comrade Orekevwie called for the implementation of the Supreme Court Judgement delivered last December that ordered the redeleneation of units and wards in the Warri Federal Constituency as he noted that this will correct the alleged injustice against the Ijaws and the Urhobos in the area.

He pointed out that the Itsekiris have only 2 polling units in Ugbolokposo in Uvwie Local Government Area but were given the position of chairman of the state ruling political party PDP in sometime past , ” Inspite of our size and population , we were not considered for such an appointment ”

Orekevwie who also accused Warri South Local Government Council of neglect of the Urhobos of Warri areas , called for the reconstitution of the defunct Community Development Committee ( CDC ) in order to address the alleged neglect of Warri Urhobos areas in the local government area.

Orekevwie said that the defunct CDCs were created by former Governor James Ibori for the Warri indigenous ethnic groups to develop and maintain their areas and there were later abolished by former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan .

Comrade Stanley Onoriode Agbosa , Hon Davis Akhigbe and Hon Odafe Ikpuri who spoke also appreciated and applauded Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori for the appointment just as they also appealed for more patronage the Warri Urhobos from Governor Oborevwori.

Dr ( Chief ) Abido remarked that the appointment was far reaching as he also appreciated Governor Oborevwori for the appointment.