Olorogun David Edevbie was warmly welcomed by the leadership of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) when he paid a consultative visit to the UPU at Adagbrassa, country home of the UPU’s President General, Chief Patrick Aziza on Sunday, July 29. Chief Patrick Aziza who was unavoidably absent was represented by his deputy, Chief Joseph Omene. In observing the Urhobo traditional protocol of host-guest interaction, the Edevbie team presented a handsome replay of the ‘Aganuzo’ entertainment to the UPU following which almost all the UPU leaders present at the consultation visit excitedly presented cash in support of Edevbie’s presentation. Presenting the reason for the visit, Engr. Matthew Edevbie bemoaned the political travails of the Urhobos in recent times. He paid tribute to the interventionist role played so far by the UPU and stated that the purpose of the visit was not really to campaign but to introduce the “Movement for the Restoration of the Pride and Place of the Urhoboman” to the UPU.
According to him, the ‘Movement’ aims at assisting the efforts of the UPU in their drive for a better living condition for the Urhobo people in the face of its comparatively advantaged neighbours. Appreciating the bridge-building efforts of the UPU across the ethnic nations in Delta State, Engr. Matthew Edevbie said the body (UPU) was moving in the right direction.
He warned that it would be a disaster if the Urhobo contested the 2015 governorship election and lost and therefore there was need for Urhobos to present its best for the political battle ahead and hence, the choice of David Edevbie as the best foot forward for the Urhobo people. He particularly stressed that the venture is however, not a do or die affair as the ‘Movement’ is ready to succumb to the decision of the UPU in the choice of who represents Urhobo in the race. He described David Edevbie as an experienced administrator and the best material for the job more so, as delegations from Isoko, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ndokwa and Anioma have met him to pledge their support for the choice of David Edevbie. Hence he called on UPU to support Edevbie as the best man for the job. Speaking, David Edevbie expressed gratitude to the UPU for the warm reception accorded him. He said among the aspirants for the race he is the most qualified.
Recounting what he did while in the government of Chief James Ibori, David Edevbie said he fought for the increase in the derivation fund from 1 percent to 13 percent which, states in the Niger Delta are now enjoying. “However what most people do not know is that they are not paying the whole money to us because of the introduction of on-shore off-shore dichotomy. If I were to become governor of this state that will be the first battle I will fight for them to pay us our money in full”. He said he brought sanity to the financial system in Delta State, chief among was the introduction of 25 percent advance payment for contractors. “I used my influence as commissioner of finance to undertake the construction of the Ughelli township dual carriage road, the Ughelli/Ogor modern market and tarring of every single road in Afiesere. “At the Federal level, I convinced late President Yar’Adua to establish the Amnesty programme and to create the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for which one of us has just been appointed as Minister.
“I have served in the highest office of the land. What pains me is the absence of Urhobo people in key decision making positions in Abuja. That has spurred me to take up the challenge so that if I am governor, I will focus on placing Urhobo people in positions of authority in the country. It would be easy for me to do so because I know the in’s and out of Abuja. No other aspirant has the same level of knowledge about the Abuja corridors of power as me. “One of the things my faceless opponents accuse me of is that I was one of those in the cabal that tried to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from assuming office. Well to the best of my knowledge there was no cabal; it was the figment of the imagination of the press at the time. If there was one…..I was not part of it.” “The only thing I ask of you is courage. I want to be your David that will kill your political Goliath. But you must line up behind me. Be prepared for the battle and you will see your David play his part when you play your part. Give me the opportunity and I will not disappoint you”. Responding, the deputy President General of UPU, Chief Joseph Omene rated the presentations of the Edevbie’s as
excellent. He gave credit to the speech of Engr. Matthew Edevbie which he described as pan-Urhobo. He said over 75 percent of the present UPU leadership are new and have been rattled by various claims that Urhobo
has no credible son to contest the governorship election. Disappointingly, he said, key politicians of Urhobo scion shifted ground to become the Director Generals of campaign organisations for non-Urhobos in the race. He said it is the dream of Urhobo that Urhobo son emerges as the governor of Delta State in 2015 and hence the UPU consulted the President General of the 24 clans who shared the same thought. “We also consulted the 24 kings in Urhobo land and they gave their blessings to our dream with a charge for us to be steadfast on the course. “It was on this basis that we invited the politicians of Urhobo to Uvwiamuge where the popular Uvwiamuge Declaration was made.
“We were aware that there were some spoilers who engage in the governorship race to spoil Urhobo chance but we have resolved that any Urhobo son who desires to contest the governorships race must do so
either in PDP or APC. “On behalf of the UPU I thank you for your courage to contest the election. They cannot defeat you”. He said the UPU has gotten encouragement from political leaders like Chief E.K. Clark to go ahead to contest the governorship seat and therefore “we support your aspiration, let the best man be given the opportunity but at this time we want a level playing ground for all sons of Urhobo. So any Urhobo son who is still interested in the race should appear and at the right time we will convene all of you to chart the way forward. “I respect Matthew Edevbie’s position that the aspiration is not a do or die affair. But let it be known that anyone of you who works against the interest of Urhobo shall incur the curse of the Urhobo people. “At the right time we will do it as it ought to be done. Not all of you will go for primaries. We shall be transparent in our choice of who represents Urhobo” Chief Omene said. In summarising, he called on Urhobo politicians to mobilise their supporters to acquire their voters’ cards when the time comes and finally prayed for the actualization of the dream of David Edevbie to become the governor of Delta State.
