ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta Unity Alliance (DUA) has congratulated Chief Ese Gam Owe on his re-election as President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), praising the conduct of the 2025 National Congress as a landmark in credible community leadership and democratic order.
In a statement signed by Barr. Timothy Emeje, Ph.D, Initiator and Chairman, Board of Trustees, and Mr. Solomon Ebinum, Executive Assistant (Political) / Director-General, the Alliance commended the peaceful, transparent, and well-organised electoral process that produced the new Executive Council.
Chief Ese Gam Owe secured a convincing victory with 432 votes, defeating his challenger, Chief Simeon Ohwofa, who polled 178 votes. The election—held at the historic Urhobo House in Uvwiamuge, Agbarho—was widely hailed by observers as calm, credible, and devoid of the chaos that often mars elections across the country.
The DUA described the UPU poll as a “shining example of democratic maturity, institutional discipline, and responsible leadership,” noting that the absence of violence, confusion, or result delays distinguished it from many elections within Nigeria’s political and socio-cultural systems.
“At a time when elections across different levels of governance are often clouded by logistics failures, mistrust, and unnecessary tension, the UPU has demonstrated that credible and transparent elections are still possible in Nigeria,” the statement said.
The Alliance urged electoral bodies nationwide—including those responsible for national, state, and local government polls—to review the UPU’s election framework and adopt its best practices in accreditation, voting orderliness, result collation, and prompt public declaration.
“If a socio-cultural institution like the UPU can successfully organize a credible national election with minimal controversy, then Nigeria’s electoral bodies should not only meet but exceed this standard in future general elections,” the statement added.
The group also commended Chief Simeon Ohwofa for displaying exceptional sportsmanship, noting that his conduct, resilience, and respect for the process strengthened democratic values within the Urhobo nation.
As Chief Ese Gam begins his second tenure, the DUA urged him to focus on unity, inclusive leadership, youth engagement, cultural renaissance, and stronger development advocacy for Urhobo people at home and in the diaspora.
“Democracy grows stronger when credibility leads the process. The UPU has raised the bar. Other electoral bodies must now rise to meet it,” the statement concluded.
