BY JOELSON EBOH
THE Warri Urhobo APC family in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State has reaffirmed the leadership of Olorogun Bernard Okumagba and the Leadership Council put in place to advance their interest.
In a statement signed by Chief Westham Adehor, Chief Peter Agiri, and Chief Mark Ikpuri, the group rejected the claims made by Chief Israel Abido and set out what it said is the true position of events.
In a recent media report, Chief Abido reportedly asserts chairmanship of the group, which was described as misleading.
In the statement issued on behalf of its leadership and members, the group condemned the publication, describing it as untrue and a misrepresentation of facts.
According to the group, following the entry of members of the old Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the APC, a Unity meeting for the Urhobos of Warri in the APC, known as Warri Urhobo APC, was convened.
The meeting, which comprised an equal number of persons from the old APC and the old PDP, was held at Peggy Hotel, Warri, on July 24, 2025.
At the meeting, members unanimously decided to establish a Leadership Council to lead the Urhobo of Warri in the APC. An election was conducted, and Olorogun Bernard Okumagba emerged as Leader/ Chairman of the Leadership Council, elected by both old APC and old PDP members present, while Chief Israel Abido was elected Deputy Leader/ Vice Chairman.
Other members of the 10-man Leadership Council endorsed to administer the affairs of the Urhobo of Warri in APC include Hon. Chief Benson Obire, Rev. David Otofia, Chief Westham Adehor, Chief Victor Okumagba, Chief Peter Agiri, Hon. Matthew Opuoru, Chief Vincent Okudolor, and Chief Mark Ikpuri.
The statement stressed that the 10 members of the Leadership Council were approved at the meeting to meet periodically and take decisions that would advance the interest and goals of the Warri Urhobo people in APC, making it clear that the era where one or two persons secretly met to take decisions that undermined the aspirations of the Warri Urhobo people was over.
It further explained that other resolutions reached at the Unity Meeting of July 24, 2025, included a unanimous restatement of the group’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as its sole candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Other resolutions include an appeal to all members to work together in unity and stand firm in protecting Warri Urhobo interests at all times, a pledge by the leadership to work towards ensuring that Warri Urhobo get their fair share of positions whenever party congresses are held, and a further pledge to ensure that the Warri Urhobo people at all times receive what is due to them at the Warri South LGA level, the Delta South Senatorial District level, the Delta State level, and within the Nigerian Federation.
The leadership urged party members and the public to disregard the misleading media narratives and to rally behind the newly constituted Leadership Council to protect and promote the collective interest of the Warri Urhobo APC.
