2023: Urhoboland mayor asks Tinubu to meet kings, ex-militant leaders to balance consultations in Delta State
The Mayor of Urhoboland and Coordinator of the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, Eshanakpe Israel, has advised the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu against selective visits to traditional leaders in the Niger Delta region, saying undermining Urhobo kings and Urhobo ex- militant leaders may come with dire consequences.
This is coming on the heels of the reported visit of the APC presidential flag bearer to Okproza in Delta State where he went to confer with Ijaw traditional rulers and leaders over his presidential race.
According to the Mayor, if the same visit is not made to the Orodje of Okpe kingdom, who is the chairman, traditional council in the oil-rich state, such action may draw a map of disrespect for Urhobo nation, which may influence the electoral behaviour of about 900,000 urhobo voters in Delta State.
Israel argued that, although it was not a bad idea visiting leaders of thoughts and representatives of the people, but that refusing to accord same dues to Urhobo Kings and its ex-militant leaders may not go down well with the urhobo speaking people, who he said are the largest homogeneous entity in Delta State and arguably in the Niger Delta region.
The Mayor called on the handlers of the Presidential hopeful to lead him aright to also pay courtesy visit to ex-militant leaders in Urhoboland.
“We are all witnesses to the brazen disregard for Urhobo Kings and we, Urhobo people seem to be applauding the political shenanigans of a man who is ready to trade off the rights and privileges of out traditional leaders.
“Leading Asiwaju before a younger king leaving behind senior ones cannot be less insulting to our common heritage as a people. Would Asiwaju visit Ogushua of Modakeke for instance in Osun State, same neighbourhood without going to prostrate for the Ooni of Ife in his Palace with Senator Iyiola Omisore leading him in the name of gubernatorial jamboree?” he said.
