UrhoboHistory@waado.org
January 16, 2011
Role of Chairmen of Local Government Areas in Urhoboland in 2011
Voter Registration
January 15-29, 2011
Chief Anthony Oboroh, Chairman
Ethiope East LGA, Isiokolo
Dr. Wilson Odafe Omene, Chairman
Ethiope West LGA, Oghara
Joseph E. Otirhue, Chairman
Okpe LGA, Orerokpe
Godwin Atose, Chairman
Sapele LGA, Sapele
Henry Afure Sakpra, Chairman
Udu LGA, Otor-Udu
Mr. Kenneth Kessiena Ibru, Chairman
Ughelli North LGA, Ughelli
Barr.
Denis Djoma, Chairman
Ughelli South LGA, Otujeremi
Hon Peter Ochuko Abugewa, Chairman
Uvwie LGA, Effurun
Dear Chairmen of LGAs in Urhoboland:
We write you this letter in order to discuss (a) the significance of
the ongoing voter registration for Urhobo political future and
fortunes and (b) the central role that you collectively can play to
make it a successful outcome and thus enhance Urhobo�s future
prospects. We address the letter to you specifically and especially
because we understand that you are in positions of leadership that
will render the voter registration exercise in Urhoboland a desirable
success or else a disastrous failure.
Comparative Importance of Voter Registration for Urhoboland
Delta State has three Senatorial districts of (a) North Delta (with
three semi-ethnic nationalities of Ika, Western Igbo, and Ukwuani);
South Delta (for Isoko, Ijaw, and Itsekiri); and Central Delta (with
only Urhobo ethnic nationality). The reason why Urhobo has one of the
three Senatorial districts to itself is on account of its relative
higher population. Such population criterion has three interdependent
significant elements: (i) population census, usually taken every ten
years; (ii) voter registration; and (iii) voting statistics.
In order to sustain its status as a distinct Senatorial district in
Delta State or even to aspire to its own state within the Nigerian
federation, Urhobo population must increase in proportion to the rest
of the country or surge ahead. If its population census falters, or if
voter registration or voting figures of Urhobos show signs of retreat,
then its distinction will be threatened. We do not therefore believe
that our current status should be taken for granted. On the contrary,
our position in Delta State and in the Nigerian federation deserves to
be protected by our own actions and planning.
For those who have been watching Urhobo affairs and communities for
decades, there are credible impressions that Urhobo population has
surged. Urhobo towns have grown huge. Before the Nigerian civil war
some forty years ago, there were few Urhobo towns with populations
greater than 10,000. Today, Ughelli, Abraka, Effurun, Okpara, Eku,
Kokori and a few others can be added to Warri and Sapele as towns and
cities with many thousands of people. There have been no major
conflicts that could derail population increase in Urhoboland. In
addition, the migration from many creek areas of the Delta South,
owing to war and major inter-ethnic conflicts, has inflated the
population in such Urhobo metropolitan conglomerations as Sapele and
Warri. These developments ought to push up population figures in voter
registration and in voting patterns.
Urhobo Fears about False Depopulation
Despite such apparent positive developments, there are widespread
fears in Urhobo communities, at home in Urhoboland and in the Urhobo
Diaspora, that there are efforts to suppress Urhobo population
performances. These fears are based on woeful figures flowing from
census, voter registration, and voting results that defy the reality
of bulging population in Urhobo towns and villages. In the most recent
re-run election earlier this month, voting totals in Urhobo LGAs were
among the lowest in Delta State. Ironically, the vote totals from war
and conflict-ravaged districts in Delta South were many multiples of
those in Urhobo LGAs. If this pattern persists, then we are in
trouble. If the current voter registration shows the same pattern of
results, then the fears expressed by many Urhobos that we are under
attack will appear to be valid. This is because, there are no Urhobos
anywhere who accept the logic of these figures, namely, that Urhobo
population has shrunk in the last ten years. On the contrary, Urhobo
fears are that these low figures have been falsely applied to us.
You can imagine that in circumstances like these, there will be
plenty of finger pointing. As central personalities in the management
of the affairs in Urhobo�s eight LGAs, you bear major responsibilities
for the outcomes of census figures, voter registration, and voting
patterns in Urhoboland. You should not therefore be surprised that
many of your fellow Urhobo men and women have complained that you have
not done enough to ensure that overall Urhobo interests are protected.
We must rush to state that we believe that all of you are honourable
and patriotic Urhobos. But it is entirely possible that you have not
shown adequate sensitivity to the fears of your fellow Urhobo men and
women. We urge you to publicly assure all Urhobo communities,
including the Urhobo Diaspora, that you will do all you can to ensure
that every adult is registered in your LGAs.
Our Appeal to Honourable Chairmen of Urhobo LGAs
We want to assure you that you will be huge heroes if the ongoing
voter registration in your local government areas is successful.
Success in voter registration means the following for us:
a)
Every eligible adult in each of the eight LGAs is registered. We urge you all to go the extra-mile to bring everyone for
registration. Let no one be left out. Voter registration is a vital
national statistic for individuals, especially since the figures will
be computerized this time around.
b)
The results of voter registration in Urhobo LGAs compare favourably
with other LGAs. We will be publishing these figures in our Web site for Urhobo
readers to draw their conclusions. Urhobo lost important grounds in
the past, due to failure to register everyone in Urhobo LGAs. We
cannot accept such boldfaced falsehood as that Ethiope East or Sapele
is less populated than depopulated LGAs of Delta South. We do not want
to see any Urhobo LGA as the lowest in voter registration in Delta
State.
c)
Voter Registration is separated from party politics. We understand that some in Urhoboland see voter registration as
part of party politics. It is not. It is one of those projects over
which party politics should be ruled out.
We in Urhobo Historical Society would very much like to hold a
meeting with all of you to discuss our views on how we all can help to
enhance progress in Urhoboland by the end of this year when we hold
our annual conference. On our part, we will be delighted to help
publicise your work in our Web site http://www.waado.org/Contents.html. Meanwhile, we thank you and we salute you in advance for what we
trust will be a positive response to this letter and a very successful
2011 voter registration exercise in Urhoboland.
Sincerely in the Service of Urhoboland,
Signed:
|
Peter P. Ekeh, PhD
Chairman |
Isaac James Mowoe, PhD, JD
Deputy Chairman |
Onoawarie Edevbie, MA, MSc
Secretary |
Cc:
His Majesty Okpara I, Ovie r� Agbon
His Majesty Orhueh I, Orodje r� Okpe
His Majesty Ogoni I, Owhorode r� Olomu
His Majesty Oharisi III, Ovie r� Ughelli
Rt. Reverend Vincent Muoghere, Retired Bishop of Ughelli Diocese,
Anglican Communion
Rt. Reverend Cyril OdiborOghene Odutemu, JP, Bishop of Ughelli
Diocese, Anglican Communion
Chief Senator David Dafinone
Olorogun Senator Felix Ibru
Olorogun Moses Taiga
Chief Senator Fred Brume
Evan. Emmanuel Evue , President, Urhobo
Social Club, Lagos
Chief Dr. Peter Obakponome
Chief Johnson Barovbe
Chief T. A. Onoge
Chief Simeon Owhofa