In spite of the initial problem of security personnel preventing the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) from holding its congress in the Ovwiamuge headquarters of the Union, the election of new executive which was part of the congress eventually took place at the Mosogar home of the immediate past President General, Chief Joe Omene, in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.
The election which attracted delegates from across the country and abroad was peacefully conducted by the Electoral body headed by the Secretary, Chief Eng. Abraham Bobor.
Accreditation of delegates began at about midday and thereafter, the accredited delegates queued up to cast their votes for their choice candidates beginning with candidates from the UK, Malaysia, Burkina Faso, the US among other branches abroad.
Also, delegates from Lagos, Bayelsa, and other parts of the country participated in the accreditation and casting of their votes.s
In all fourteen (14) offices were declared vacant out of which five were contested for and nine returned unopposed. Those contested for include the President-General position for which the immediate past PG, Omene, Chief Moses Taiga and Prof. Ibodje were screened by the Electoral committee for the position. The position of 1st Deputy President General was contested between Mr. Jonathan Shakarho and Chief Kenneth Iwhewhe; the 2nd Deputy President-General was between Chief Fred Sohwo and Mr. Atanomeyovwi; the Secretary General was between Martins Umukoro and Chief Barr. Isaacs Itebu and that of Asst. Publicity between Justus Iyasere and Mr. Nakpodia; Auditor between Matthew Adegor and Simon Asite.
Other positions which were returned unopposed include 3rd Deputy PG, Chief Grace Usirare; Asst Sec. Gen, Dr. Onovwakpoma Oyovwi; Treasurer Mike Okenini; Fin Sec. Raphael Emecho; Asst. Financial Sec Martha Okparanyote; Publicity Sec Olorogun Duncan Eghweree; Legal Adviser Chief Milton Ohwovoriole (SAN) and Asst. Legal Adviser Moses Segba.
At the end of the election, the Chief Engr. Abraham Bobor who acted as the electoral committee chairman, announced Chief Joe Omene as winner of the President General position while Mr. Jonathan Shakarho emerged as the 1st Deputy President General. Chief Fred Sowho emerged as the 2nd Deputy President General, while Grace Usirare emerged as the 3nd Deputy President General.
Also, Martins Mukoro emerged the Secretary General, while Justice Iyasere emerged as the Asst. Publicity Secretary even as Matthew Adegor emerged as the Auditor.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the election, the President General, Chief Joe Omene stated that it was in the interest of peace and security that he had to move the congress from the Uvwiamuge headquarters of the UPU to Mosogar having been embarrassed by some hoodlums in the morning while they were trying to make use of the UPU house. He stated that the constitution of the Union empowers him to move the congress to any peaceful venue if peace and security becomes an issue.
Said he: “Ordinarily, if it was a political something, people would have opted to go home when we were harassed there (at Uvwiamuge) but they said nobody can dictate to Urhobo what Urhobo must do. That is why we said election must take place and that is why we have been here all day.”
Omene said he was disappointed for being denied the use of the UPU headquarters to conduct the election, adding that few hours before they had an understanding with the police for the election to go on at the Uvwiamuge headquarters.
A delegate from Burkina Faso, Comrade Patrick Ochuko Otoba, who fielded questions from newsmen shortly after he cast his vote, commended the effort of Chief Joe Omene, adding that it was time the Urhobo should come together as one.
“I thank the President General, Chief Joe Omene. It is time for us Urhobo to unite. If you see the unity among the Yorubas, the Hausas and the Igbos in Burkina Faso you will be surprised. That is why we decided to come and participate as delegate in this congress”, Comrade Otoba said.
In a reaction to the development in Mosogar, a candidate for the position of Secretary General, Barr. Gam Owe who was the former national legal adviser to the defunct interim committee of the Union, stated that the election held at Mosogar that produced Chief Joe Omene as President General was a nullity, adding that the actual election would soon be conducted.
Said he: “We would do election very soon. The kings want to meet this week. We would do our own election. We cannot go to court to challenge what they did because if we do that means we have acknowledged that he conducted an election. The news would be that there was no election. Nobody would ever give that exercise audience.“
