By Emmanuel Ogoigbe
The Urhobo people of Warri South Local Government Area, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have formally demanded equitable political representation in the local government, calling for the position of Party Chairman to be ceded to the Urhobo bloc ahead of the forthcoming 2026 APC Party Congresses.
The position paper conveying the demand was jointly signed by prominent Urhobo leaders and stakeholders in Warri South, including Olorogun Bernard Okumagba (Chairman), Chief Benson Obire (Vice Chairman), Hon. Mark Ikpuri, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP, Chief Isaac Emifoniye, JP, Chief Vincent Okudolor, JP (Secretary), Rev. Canon Dr. David Otofia, Chief Dr. Westham Adehor, JP, Chief Ann Gagiyovwin, JP, Chief Peter Agiri, JP, among others.
The demand, articulated in a detailed position statement, comes against the backdrop of what the Urhobo bloc described as over two decades of systemic political exclusion since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1998.
Warri South Local Government Area is composed of two major ethnic and political blocs — Urhobo and Itsekiri. However, the Urhobo leaders lamented that political power in the council has remained disproportionately skewed in favour of the Itsekiri bloc, to the near-total exclusion of the Urhobo people.
According to the statement, from the inception of the Fourth Republic to date, the position of Council Chairman, whether through election or appointment, has been exclusively occupied by Itsekiri individuals. Those who have held the position include Chief J.S. Otumara, Barrister Fred Enemighin, Chief Arthur Diden, Hon. Austin Uroye, Mofe Edema, Dr. Michael Tidi, and the incumbent, Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro.
