2027: Urhobo monarchs endorse Oborevwori as sole Guber candidate
The Forum of Urhobo Traditional Rulers in Delta, has endorsed Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as sole candidate for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
The traditional rulers made the declaration on Thursday, after an extensive deliberation at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie, Dr Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1. in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
The statement of the meeting’s resolution was signed by the host, King Sideso and his counterpart, Dr Richard Ebelle, the Ovie of Agbarha-Otor of Ughelli North Local Government Area.
The endorsed statement was presented before the media by His Majesty, King Monday Whiskey, UDURHIE I, the Ovie of Idjerhe kingdom and Spokesman, Ukoko Re Ivie of Urhobo Nation
The forum called on all Urhobo sons and daughters to vote enmasse for Governor Oborevwori to enable him to return for the second term in office.
“The decision of the forum is that we the Traditional Rulers of Urhobo ethnic group have adopted Governor Oborevwori as the sole candidate of the Urhobo for the 2027 governorship election.
“His endorsement is based on the unprecedented development across Delta. We, therefore call on all sons and daughters of Urhobo Nation to vote enmasse for the incumbent governor,” they said.
The traditional rulers expressed concern over the recent tension in the state’s political landscape and believed that the situation could escalate, if urgent measure was not taken when campaign starts proper.
They said that, while the forum remained apolitical, it could not stay silent when political development threatened the security, well-being and social harmony of the people.
“Recently, we observed a concerning rise in political tension, hostility and thuggery across the Urhobo land.
“As royal fathers, we cannot sit and watch our sons and daughters tear themselves apart over political ambitions. Politics should be a peaceful civic engagement.
“Driven by this concern, we convened a consultative meeting with our sons who are governorship candidates across the various political parties to counsel them on the need for peace, restraints and brotherhood,” the forum said.
The royal fathers noted that the incumbent state governor was an Urhobo son and affirmed that every Urhobo son and daughter had the constitutional right to aspire to the highest political office in the land.
They said that any attempt by individuals or group to foster division or rivalry within the Urhobo Nation was a direct disservice to the collective unity and progress of the Urhobo people.
“Our mandate is clear, the unity of the Urhobo ethnic group is sacrosanct and non-negotiable.
“To de-escalate the rising political tension and protect our collective interest, we have advised all our sons contesting for the 2027 governorship election to align with the forum’s counsel,” they said.
The traditional rulers urged the other political gladiators in Urhobo land to set aside their individual ambitions and rally behind the incumbent governor.
Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines, King Whiskey said that the royal fathers were peace ambassadors in their respective kingdoms.
According to him, the kings can not watch crisis escalate before they respond, hence the need for the meeting.
“As royal fathers, we can not sit and watch things get out of hands.
“We decide that this
is the time to call things to order because when we are afraid that when the real campaign start, we are going to b
e seeing more terrible things,” he said.
