Delta 2027: Why Urhobo Traditional Rulers Endorsement Of Oborevwori Unacceptable — Hon. Enakireru

By Comrade (Sfy.) Onodarho Esiri

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Delta State, Hon. John Enakireru, popularly known as Osimi, has said that the Urhobo Traditional Rulers recent endorsement of the incumbent Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, as the sole candidate for the 2027 governorship election is unacceptable, null and void.

Hon. Enakireru has called on the Urhobo traditional rulers to retract their recent endorsement of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as the sole candidate for the 2027 Delta State governorship election, describing the decision as unhealthy and capable of undermining the neutrality of the traditional institution.

Hon. Enakireru stated that the call became necessary because many people believe that royal fathers should remain apolitical rather than openly picking political candidates for their subjects or the general public. According to him, this position is consistent with the traditional rulers’ own admission in their resolutions and communique that traditional rulers are expected to remain apolitical.

The statement further noted that traditional rulers are expected to maintain neutrality among all their subjects across the 24 kingdoms of the Urhobo nation, rather than contributing to political tension and division through endorsements. He said they should not be involved in politically motivated decisions or utterances capable of questioning their credibility and impartiality.

The ADC chieftain further noted that openly endorsing a candidate could give the public the impression that the traditional rulers are self-seeking or have been influenced by political patronage, rather than acting as selfless custodians of culture, tradition and communal values. He reiterated that traditional rulers should completely stay out of partisan politics and treat all their subjects, candidates and politicians equally, without showing favouritism.

He said they are expected to be fathers to all within their respective kingdoms and to serve every member of their communities with equity and equality, regardless of political affiliation. According to him, openly favouring one candidate could divide the people and alienate citizens who support other political parties.

Hon. Enakireru opined that when traditional leaders endorse specific political candidates, they risk losing the respect and trust of members of the public because such actions could undermine the political neutrality expected of them and compromise their moral authority. He maintained that neutrality keeps their moral voice strong and enables them to mediate disputes fairly.

He said political tension could quickly escalate into local conflicts when royal institutions deviate from their expected position of moral uprightness, political neutrality and non-partisan disposition through the open backing of one candidate or political party over another.

According to him, by choosing a political side, traditional rulers could become partisan actors, despite being expected to represent everyone. He argued that such a position could weaken their ability to unite the people and instead turn them into symbols of political division.

It is worthy of note, he said, that traditional institutions in Nigeria are constitutionally expected to remain apolitical and focus on culture, peace, heritage and the wellbeing of their communities rather than partisan politics.

He further argued that the purported endorsement could place pressure on voters and other candidates, thereby limiting the atmosphere for free and fair political participation.

According to him, kings and chiefs represent the cultural heritage and collective identity of their respective kingdoms, and remaining neutral protects this position of unity while helping to prevent unnecessary social conflict.

He also noted that the candidates of the major political parties are all Urhobos, adding that the unwritten zoning arrangement among political parties currently places the governorship position in Delta Central, making it the “turn of the Urhobos.”

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Therefore, he argued, issues of political division, violence, thuggery among Urhobo people or division of votes should not arise from the contest. In this light, he said, eligible voters in Delta State should be allowed to make their own choices and vote for the candidate they consider most suitable to lead the state.

Conclusively, Hon. Enakireru posited that one of the damages the decision of the traditional rulers could cause is the loss of public trust, as people already believe that the royal fathers have taken sides in the political contest.

He said people on the opposing side could begin to see the traditional rulers as political opponents rather than as fathers and leaders of the people. More so, he argued, the entire traditional institution could lose credibility in the eyes of the public.

According to him, traditional rulers ought to remain unifying figures who stand above daily political battles because they represent the 24 kingdoms in Urhobo land. Their authority and influence, he maintained, are strengthened by the fact that everyone can look up to them regardless of political affiliation or political beliefs.

He therefore concluded that the royal fathers should, as a matter of urgent importance, retract their recent endorsement of Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori and, by so doing, redeem the image and credibility of the traditional institution before it becomes too late.

Hon. John Enakireru aka Osimi writes from Uvwie, Delta State