Ahead of the nationwide congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Warri Urhobo APC Leadership Council has demanded that the chairmanship seat of the party in Warri South Local Government Area be ceded to the Urhobo bloc to ameliorate the injustice and political suppression in the last 26 years in the council.
The group warned that continued exclusion Urhobos in the political structure in the council after 26 years of democratic rule poses a serious threat to unity, peace and the long-term stability of the party, especially as the nation heads into electioneering year.
In a press statement issued on Monday and jointly signed by Olorogun Bernard Okumagba, Chairman; Hon. (Chief) Benson Obire, Vice Chairman; and Chief Vincent Okudolor, Secretary; on befalf of other leaders of the group, noted that it was time for the political injustice in Warri South to be corrected.
The statement, equally signed by other leaders of the group, including Olorogun Victor Okumagba, Chief Ann Gagiyovwin, Chief Peter Agiri, Chief Westham Adehor, Chief Isaac Emifoniye and Rev. Canon Dr. David Otofia, said the political structure of Warri South had remained “lopsided and unjust” since 1998, despite the local government being made up of two major ethnic and political blocs – the Urhobo and the Itsekiri.
“Since the return to democratic governance in 1998, political leadership in Warri South has been dominated by one bloc to the total exclusion of the other,” statement said, noting that “This pattern is unjust, undemocratic and contrary to the principles of fairness, equity and inclusiveness.”
The group noted that no Urhobo indigene has ever occupied the office of council chairman, either by election or appointment, since the beginning of the Fourth Republic.
“From inception to date, the position of council chairman has remained exclusively in the hands of the Itsekiri,” the statement said.
Those who have held the position over the years include Chief J. S. Otumara, Barrister Fred Enemighin, Chief Arthur Diden, Hon. Austin Uroye, Mofe Edema, Dr. Michael Tidi and the current chairman, Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro.
The council added that the same pattern of exclusion exists within the party structure, stressing that the position of APC chairman in Warri South has also been occupied solely by Itsekiri persons for more than two decades.
It added, “Since 1998, the office of party chairman in Warri South has never been held by an Urhobo person… Today, both the council chairman and the party chairman are from the same bloc.”
As preparations for the APC congress commence, the Urhobo leaders said the moment presented an opportunity for correction and balance the “political lopsidedness”.
“In the interest of equity, unity and political harmony, we respectfully but firmly demand that the position of APC party chairman in Warri South be ceded to the Urhobo people,” the statement declared.
The Warri Urhobo APC leaders insisted that the demand was not driven by hostility or ethnic antagonism but by a genuine desire for fairness and equal participation.
“This call is not borne out of bitterness,” it said. “It is a sincere appeal for inclusion, justice and democratic balance in the leadership of our local government”, they further stressed.
The Urhobo APC leaders contrasted the situation in Warri South with what they described as more inclusive political arrangements in Warri South West and Warri North local government areas, where leadership positions are shared among ethnic blocs.
“In those areas, power-sharing has fostered peace, stability and coexistence despite similar ethnic compositions,” the statement noted.
The council reaffirmed its loyalty to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the M.O.R.E Agenda of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, describing the call for equity at the local level as consistent with the ideals of inclusive governance.
“True democracy must begin at the grassroots,” the council said. “Exclusion undermines unity, weakens the party and threatens long-term stability.”
The Urhobo APC Leadership Council reiterated its commitment to peace and urged party leaders to act in the broader interest of the party and the local government.
“We remain committed to peace, unity and the collective progress of Warri South. Equity is the only pathway to lasting stability, cohesion and democratic growth”, the statement further reemphasised.
