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Hon. Abel Oshevire, UPU National Publicity Secretary.

The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), the apex socio-cultural union of the Urhobo nation has disowned the UPU Youth Wing, saying that the group ceased to exist after its dissolution on Friday, December 6, 2020.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of UPU, Hon. Abel Oshevire stated that the erstwhile UPU Youth Wing had since be replaced with a new pan-UPU apex youth body called Ukoko R’ Ighele R’Urhobo.

The UPU statement reads:
The attention of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) has been drawn to the inauguration of a purported UPU Youth body at the hotel premises, owned by a former youth leader and politician in Udu Local Government Area, and wish to state unequivocally that:
1. The executive of the erstwhile body known as UPU Youth Wing was dissolved on Friday, the 6th of December 2019, and ceased to exist. In its place a new pan-UPU apex youth body, now known as Ukoko R’ Ighele R’Urhobo is established and its National Officers have since been inaugurated by the President-General, UPU, Olorogun (Dr.) Moses Oghenerume Taiga, JP.

2. We wish to state categorically that the authentic leadership of Urhobo Youths worldwide is led by Comrade Ovie Ebireri. We are here alerting the entire Urhobo Nation, Delta State Government, Security Agencies, Corporate Organisations and other Stakeholders that we consider the rascality and purported inauguration of another youth body as unconstitutional, illegal, and an affront on the Urhobo Nation, UPU, the President-General, Urhobo Kings and all peace-loving Urhobo People worldwide.

3. We are also by this notice warning that any dealing with any other body outside the Ovie Ebireri-led youth executive is illegal and criminal. It is also a desecration, violation and total disregard of the authority of UPU, her sovereignty and leadership. Importantly, such dealing will be deemed as a move to further cause a breach of the peace and disunity in Urhobo Nation. We shall not fold our hands and watch this happen.

4. It is instructive to mention that this inauguration is a fallout of the open threat of a serving Commissioner in DESOPADEC, Hon. Vincent Oyibode, who has been fingered as brain behind this perfidy, to cause a breach of the peace in Urhoboland, when his attempt to force his favoured candidate on the UPU as President of the apex Youth body failed. Other identified co-travellers in this misadventure are persons, who lobbied for themselves or their preferred candidates to be appointed, and imposed as President of the Youth body. It is now clear that their mission was not patriotic but for self-aggrandisement.

5. We wish to also bring to the notice of the entire Urhobo Nation, Delta State Government and Security Agencies of the continued threat to the life, family and peace of the UPU PG, Olorogun Moses Oghenerume Taiga, by this DESOPADEC Commissioner, whose obvious ride to newfound affluence has rid him of every sense of decency, respect for elders, and laws, customs and tradition of Urhobo. However, Oyibode’s threat is a joke carried too far, and shall be treated with all seriousness. What gave them the impudence, the temerity and the audacity to undertake this grave act of impunity and insubordination against the Urhobo Nation? We do not discountenance the possibility of a masquerade been behind the scene. But let it be stated categorically that no one should try the resolve of the UPU and the Urhobo Nation.

6. We call on the State Government, especially His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Executive Governor, Delta State, to immediately call him to order, just as we urge the Security Agencies to beam their searchlights on this threat to the peace and life of our President-General.

Henceforth, the UPU will no longer tolerate the reckless use of Urhobo name as title or tag to all self-seeking groups and associations. Enough is enough of this disrespect and defilement of the word ‘Urhobo.’

7. We call on Hon. Oyibode and his fellow co-travellers, including their sponsors outside Urhoboland, to call themselves to order and drop these childish shenanigans. They must note that they will be held responsible for any breach of peace and violence in Urhoboland. The full wrath of the law shall be heaped on them for any disturbance or violence traced to their divisive activities. There shall be no sacred cow. They should be careful not to err on the side of history. Half a word is enough for the wise!

8. To the Urhobo Nation, we reiterate that we shall not be distracted and will resist any attempt to foist disorder and illegality on this sacred Union of Urhobo People, Worldwide. Our vision and mission to reposition the Urhobo Nation is clear, and we shall not disappoint your expectations.

Thank you,

Hon. Abel Oshevire,
National Publicity Secretary,
UPU