By Eseoghene Emuke
The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) says Comrade Ovie Ebireri remains the authentic and recognized President of the Ukoko R’ Ighele R’Urhobo otherwise known as UPU Youth Wing, which is the umbrella body for all Urhobo youths worldwide.
UPU, the apex socio-cultural umbrella body of the Urhobo people, noted that any other person or group of people parading themselves as executive of the apex Urhobo youth body is illegal and does not enjoy the support of the Urhobo Nation.
This is coming on the heels of a recently constituted another UPU youth wing at a hotel in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
However, in a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary of UPU, Hon. Abel Oshevire, warned those behind the illegally constituted youth body against parading themselves as executive of Ukoko R’ Ighele R’Urhobo.
The statement said the Olorogun Moses Taiga-led UPU remains undeterred by the activities of some persons who are working to destabilise Urhobo Nation for their selfish desires, adding that such antics would strongly be rejected by the Urhobo people.
It specifically accused a commissioner with the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Chief Vincent Oyibode, as the sponsor of the new body, and called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to call him to order.
“The executive of the erstwhile body known as UPU Youth Wing was dissolved on Friday, the 6th of December 2019, and ceased to exist. In its place a new pan-UPU apex youth body, now known as Ukoko R’ Ighele R’Urhobo is established and its National Officers have since been inaugurated by the President-General, UPU, Olorogun (Dr.) Moses Oghenerume Taiga, JP.
“We wish to state categorically that the authentic leadership of Urhobo Youths worldwide is led by Comrade Ovie Ebireri. We are here alerting the entire Urhobo Nation, Delta State Government, Security Agencies, Corporate Organisations and other Stakeholders that we consider the rascality and purported inauguration of another youth body as unconstitutional, illegal, and an affront on the Urhobo Nation, UPU, the President-General, Urhobo Kings and all peace-loving Urhobo People worldwide.
“We are also by this notice warning that any dealing with any other body outside the Ovie Ebireri-led youth executive is illegal and criminal. It is also a desecration, violation and total disregard of the authority of UPU, her sovereignty and leadership.
“Importantly, such dealing will be deemed as a move to further cause a breach of the peace and disunity in Urhobo Nation. We shall not fold our hands and watch this happen.
“It is instructive to mention that this inauguration is a fallout of the open threat of a serving Commissioner in DESOPADEC, Hon. Vincent Oyibode, who has been fingered as brain behind this perfidy, to cause a breach of the peace in Urhoboland, when his attempt to force his favoured candidate on the UPU as President of the apex Youth body failed.
“Other identified co-travellers in this misadventure are persons, who lobbied for themselves or their preferred candidates to be appointed, and imposed as President of the Youth body. It is now clear that their mission was not patriotic but for self-aggrandisement.”
