A Frankfurt-based Urhobo women’s association, Ukọ kọ R’e Eguono R’e Iya Ruẹ Urhobo, has passed a vote of no confidence in the Chief Ese Gam-led Urhobo Progress Union (UPU Worldwide), accusing the current leadership of incompetence, moral failure, and loss of direction.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its President, Mrs. Joan Ogheneruemu Scheil, and issued in Frankfurt, Germany, the group said the union under Chief Gam’s watch had brought “shame and embarrassment” to the Urhobo nation and should not seek re-election.
“The Urhobo nation has never had it this bad. The present UPU leadership has reduced Urhobo’s influence to its lowest level since the founding of the union in 1931,” Scheil said.
She alleged that the current administration lacked vision, strategy, and political relevance, noting that “in the past three years of Chief Ese Gam’s leadership, the fortunes and influence of the Urhobo nation within Delta State and Nigeria have dwindled abysmally.”
The women’s group cited what it called the UPU’s “deafening silence” during key crises such as the Okuama killings and the Warri South violence, which included an attack on the union’s headquarters, as evidence of weak and compromised leadership.
“The only visible achievement of this executive is the ceremonial sharing of kola nuts and empty rhetoric, while Urhobo’s collective dignity suffers,” the statement read.
The group said the current UPU executive had failed to uphold the values of courage, integrity, and excellence for which the Urhobo are known, adding that “our forebears would be turning in their graves at the state of things today.”
Consequently, Ukọ kọ R’e Eguono R’e Iya Ruẹ Urhobo announced that it had passed a vote of no confidence on the Chief Ese Gam-led UPU executive and called for credible and visionary leadership to reposition the Urhobo nation for unity and progress.
“Given this below-average performance, we call on all well-meaning Urhobos to rally behind capable candidates who truly represent the aspirations and values of our people,” the statement added.
The group also appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to align with the people’s desire for change and support efforts to restore credibility and unity within the UPU.
“We appeal to our amiable Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to put Urhobo first and support the overwhelming desire of the people for change. This is a defining moment for Urhobo unity and progress,” Scheil said.
The women’s association urged all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political leaders, and youth groups, to join the call for renewal within the UPU, stressing that the time had come to “restore the integrity of the Urhobo nation and reposition it for respect and influence once again.”
