By Ambrose Ologide
An Urhobo socio/political group, Urhobo Peoples Integrity Organization (UPIO), has expressed support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zoning policy in Delta State gubernatorial seat on senatorial basis.
UPIO’s support for the PDP zoning is contained in a statement issued shortly after its monthly general meeting in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area at the weekend.
The statement, signed by Dr Ebenezer Okorodudu and Chief Jerry Eruvbedede (National President and National Secretary respectively), noted that the said zoning policy had been implemented right from the tenure of former Governor James Ibori.
It further noted that since the implementation of the governorship senatorial zoning policy, aspirants of different ethnic groups in Delta State, contested for the number one political seat in the state including the likes of Chief Great Ogboru, Chief Cairo Ojougbo, Hon Ndudi Elumelu, and Elder Orubebe, amongst others.
“But the PDP machinery ensured that the zoning policy was implemented with its full support.
“It will interest you (press men) to note that, our organization was at the forefront of the support of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s re-election inspite of the fact that members of UPIO are all Urhobos, “the statement added
The statement recalled that UPIO organized public seminar at the PTI conference centre on the rotation of the governorship seat among the three senatorial districts
“And we called on Urhobo Nation to support and vote for Senator Dr Arthur Okowa of the Delta North because it was their turn.
“UPIO also unabashedly installed bill boards across the state, stating clearly that it was the turn of Delta North and Delta Central should wait for 2023 for their turn,” the statement added.
While noting that the PDP zoning policy had guaranteed peaceful transition of the governorship seat amongst the three senatorial districts, the said that it was the turn of Delta Central to produce the next governor of Delta State in 2023.
The statement then appealed to Delta South and North Senatorial Districts for their support for Delta Central to produce the governor of Delta State in 2023.
The statement also applauded the facilitators of the newly formed DC 23, as it noted that the group was formed to appeal to the three senatorial districts to keep to the PDP zoning policy.
