The National Publicity Secretary of Urhobo Awareness Youth Association (UAYA), Ejovwoke Uvwo, who hails from Agbarho in Ughelli North local government area and Ovu, Ethiope East local government area, both of Delta state.
In this phone interview with Ejovwoke Uvwo, he spoke extensively on a lot of issues as it concerns Urhobo nation, her political development, leadership and variety of issues.
EXCERPT:
The activities of Urhobo Awareness Youth Association, UAYA, has been silent over the years, giving the impression that the group has gone into oblivion?
That is not true. That we have not been in the media space doesn’t mean the group has exited. There is a lot we are doing without coming to the media. During the 2023 elections, we did come out to appeal to both parties where our two illustrious sons, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori and former Deputy President of the Senate, Olorogun Ovie Omo-Agege contested. We came out in the paper then to advise both parties to avoid violence until eventually Oborevwori became governor of Delta state.
We did this as a group without any iota of sentiment since both candidates then are illustrious sons of Urhobo nation and it is our duty they both had violence free election. And apart from that our members were also everywhere preaching peace to both political parties since their principals are both Urhobo.
What is the relationship of this group and the former governor of Delta state, Chief James Onanefe Ibori because we saw and read in the newspapers when the group went to present to him his portrait when he just arrived in the country?
Our group holds Chief James Ibori in high esteem as an Urhobo leader. We presented him with a portrait upon his return to Nigeria to express our solidarity and support. This gesture was not politically motivated; our members, both in Nigeria and abroad, simply wanted to show our leader that we had not forgotten him and share in his ordeal as a way of telling him we are with him always.
A lot of people or groups may have seen this move to Chief lbori then as one with political motives, what is your take?
This is assertion or imagination if anybody or group would have thought that. Note that we have members not only in Nigeria but also living abroad. So funds to run the group right from the formation stage wasn’t our problem and our going then was to show love to our leader, Chief James Ibori that we have not forgotten you, no strings attached to it.
A lot of groups in Urhobo nation are always prominent and domineering almost in all elections in the state, but haven’t seen that in your group, any comment on this?
This is funny but sincerely, l must tell you that every human being is a political animal whether we accept the fact or not. The reality is not far. They adage then that you must watch before you leap and have taught us about consciousness to all we are doing to avoid mistakes that we may regret tomorrow. We are not ignorant of the fact some corrections they say are made inside not outside the party.
Urhobo seems to be failing in political leadership, mostly at the national level, do subscribe to this view?
This is one question l have been battling with over the years. In the real sense of it, Urhobo has no direction and no voice in the politics of this nation. All that we believe in local politics. Some even go to the level of dragging unit leaders. Nobody we have at the national level that we can call as the voice of Urhobo nation as we have in other ethnic nationalities.
It is only in Urhobo that you have past senators, ministers, reps members struggling for leadership of party in the wards and local government when their contemporaries are playing national politics where Urhobo voice will be heard and respected. Nothing happens at the national level and you will say thank God our leader is there. They are all at home claiming national leaders and dragging appointments with the age of their children for Senior Political Advisers to the governor, too poor. Regarding Urhobo’s political leadership, we believe that Urhobo lacks a strong voice in national politics. Too often, our leaders focus on local politics at the expense of national influence. We believe that Chief James Ibori has the potential to unite Urhobo and elevate our position on the national stage.
So, do you say presently no can front the course of Urhobo nation at the national level?
Between us you know I’m being frank with my words but it is still achievable the day Urhobo nation decides to rally round Chief James Onanefe as the national leader irrespective of political party, then Urhobo is good to go. To play national politics has a lot to do with your connection and that is where Chief James Ibori fits in.
Are you saying without lbori nobody else fits in talking about national politics?
Without mincing words, in the time past we had Urhobo sons and daughters who served in various capacity as senators, ministers and even MDs in some viable boards, where are they today, they have retired to become captains in units, wards and local government politics as political leader, have you seen where Ibori has been addressed as local leader. This is the time to wake up and face the reality, knowing the fact that with Ibori as national leader, Urhobo will go places and gain a lot in national politics.
What is the plan of the group in the near future as we are approaching 2027 general elections?
As we approach the 2027 general elections, the UAYA is carefully observing the political landscape. We will decide on our level of involvement at the appropriate time.