As the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) approaches its crucial December 5, 2025, election, troubling signs have emerged, pointing unmistakably to a deliberate, well-coordinated plot to rig the process. The Chief Dr Emmanuel Ighomena-led Electoral Committee appears determined to plunge the UPU into chaos by refusing to follow even the most basic tenets of transparency. Their actions, or lack thereof, demand urgent scrutiny.
Barely three days to the election, the Electoral Committee has refused to publish the number of accredited delegates expected to vote. This simple requirement is standard in every credible electoral process. In the last UPU election, irregularities thrived because unknown individuals, some living in Delta State, were fraudulently presented as delegates from distant branches in Kaduna, Ogbomoso, Plateau State, and others that never convened or approved any delegates. Now, the Committee seems set to repeat the same shameful pattern.
Article 10 of the UPU Constitution, even though its 2024 amendment is fraught with illegitimacy, clearly stipulates the allocation of delegates: kingdoms, councils of representatives, the Board of Trustees, branches outside Urhoboland, and diaspora chapters all have specific delegate quotas. Whether or not the 2024 Constitution is legally valid, given that it was hurriedly amended without due process, without the input of the Board of Trustees, and allegedly concocted to perpetuate the current leadership in office, is immaterial at this point, the Electoral Committee cannot cherry-pick the sections convenient for manipulation while ignoring the sections that mandate transparency.
Today, nobody, not even members of the UPU Congress or those contesting against the current Chief Ese Gam-led Executive, knows how many delegates are expected. We have it on good authority that the Committee and the current Exco are hiding behind constitutional ambiguities to smuggle in individuals to represent both existing and non-existing branches. This is nothing but a crude attempt to manipulate the electoral system and impose their preferred candidates on the Urhobo Nation.
I call on the Urhobo Nation, the global Urhobo diaspora, and the Governor of Delta State, an illustrious son of the Urhobo Nation, to intervene. Chief Dr Emmanuel Ighomena and his Committee must immediately publish the full list of delegates, from the kingdoms, the Councils of Representatives, the Board of Trustees, the 24 Kingdom presidents-general, and all recognised branches and chapters worldwide. They must also state clearly how many UPU branches are functional and how many delegates each is entitled to; the constitution stipulates 4 delegates for each UPU branch and 2 delegates for an Association affiliated to UPU.
The Electoral Committee must understand the weight of this moment. Chief Ighomena has a date with history and posterity. He has enjoyed a respectable career, professionally and politically, and should not allow this election to stain his name or bring dishonour to his family. Whatever he and his Committee do today will be judged by the Urhobo people tomorrow.
The Urhobo Nation is at a crossroads, and every right-thinking Urhobo must rise to defend the sanctity of our collective destiny.
It is shameful that some individuals are dropping the Governor’s name to justify their schemes. Let it be clear: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has not endorsed anybody and has no vested interest in UPU politics. He does not need UPU validation to win in 2027. His performance speaks for him. So why drag him into petty UPU politicking?
We are also hearing that certain political actors—including a DESOPADEC Boss, who has failed to bring meaningful development to Urhoboland in the last three years—are attempting to influence delegates to impose a UPU executive that will serve their 2027 senatorial ambitions. Likewise, we hear that the Chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue is mobilising delegates to force a particular outcome. These individuals clearly do not have the best interests of the Urhobo people at heart.
The UPU election is a family affair. It is supposed to be a dignified internal process where brothers and sisters freely choose the best leadership for our Nation. Yet, today, Urhobo has become a laughing stock in the comity of ethnic nationalities due to reckless political interference and leadership desperation aimed at serving narrow political interests.
This election offers us a rare opportunity to correct past wrongs. We must not allow enemies of Urhobo, masquerading as political leaders, to hijack this process.
I, therefore, call on the Electoral Committee to release the full and final list of delegates before the close of business tomorrow.
Anything short of this is a direct assault on democracy and will be challenged in court. Urhobo people everywhere must rise to resist any attempt to impose a fraudulent leadership on our Nation.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
Shedrack Onitsha -FCIISM, Mnipr.
Writes from Afeisere, Ughelli Kingdom
