As Delta State marks its 34th anniversary, the Mayor of Urhoboland and leader of the Association of Urhobo Mayoral Family Crown (AUMFC), Eshanekpe Israel, popularly known as Mayor Akpodoro, has declared that there is little cause for celebration—especially for the Urhobo nation, which he says is “suffocating” under the maladministration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Akpodoro accused the governor of prioritizing politics over governance, describing him as blinded by greed for power and state resources.
“Urhobo nation does not deserve the humiliation being meted out to us by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori,” he said.
Referencing the violent clashes between Urhobo and Itsekiri youths in Warri, the Mayor faulted the state government’s handling of the crisis, alleging that political considerations ahead of 2027 have worsened the conflict.
“In 2023, Urhobo made a grave mistake supporting Oborevwori. Today, we are paying the price,” he added, lamenting the governor’s failure to develop both human and material resources in Urhoboland.
Akpodoro decried the recent vandalisation of the Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU) House in Okere-Urhobo, Warri, allegedly by Itsekiri youths, accusing the state government of poor handling of the situation.
He called on the Olu of Warri to ensure the rebuilding of the monument, warning that silence could fuel further unrest in the area. “Never in our history has the tail wagged the dog in this manner,” he said.
The ex-militant leader also pointed to the Okuama crisis as another example of poor conflict management under Oborevwori’s watch, stressing that the government ignored early warnings until the situation escalated.
According to him, the Urhobo nation has endured two years of bloodshed, destruction, and neglect, while the governor is preoccupied with securing a second term.
“Delta State is on autopilot,” he asserted. “Contracts are allegedly handled solely by the governor’s kitchen cabinet, while commissioners are reduced to figureheads.
“At 34, instead of celebrating progress, we are saddled with an administration chasing re-election with nothing to show for two years in office.”
Akpodoro further accused the governor of neglecting his own ethnic nationality, noting that while other groups received vehicles and support from the state, the UPU and its youth wing were ignored.
“This is a betrayal,” he said, contrasting Oborevwori with former governors who, despite shortcomings, never sidelined the Urhobo nation.
Looking ahead to 2027, the Mayor welcomed the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s decision to abolish automatic tickets for political office seekers, urging Urhobos and Deltans at large to correct what he called “the 2023 error of judgment.”
