“‘You Cannot Command Our Votes!’ Urhobo Citizens Reject Kings’ Declaration Of Oborevwori As ‘Sole Candidate’”
By Passman Akpos
A fresh controversy has erupted within the Urhobo Nation following the decision of the Ukoko r’Ivie r’Urhobo, the forum of Urhobo traditional rulers, to endorse Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orhovwedor Oborevwori, as the “sole candidate” of the Urhobo Nation for the 2027 governorship election.
The traditional rulers announced the position during a press briefing held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom.
The declaration has, however, triggered strong reactions from critics who questioned the claim by the traditional rulers that they remain “strictly apolitical.”
In the statement signed by HRM Dr. Emmanuel E. Sideso, Abe 1, JP, OON, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom and Chairman of Ukoko r’Ivie r’Urhobo Nation, and HRM Amb. Dr. Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle Okoroefe I, Ovie of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom and Secretary of the forum, the monarchs said they had become concerned about rising political tension, hostility and alleged thuggery across Urhobo land ahead of the 2027 election.
According to the monarchs, they had met with Urhobo governorship aspirants across political parties and counselled them to put aside their individual ambitions and support the incumbent governor in the interest of Urhobo unity.
The traditional rulers subsequently declared Oborevwori the “sole candidate of Urhobo Nation” and called on Urhobo sons and daughters to vote massively for him.
The forum also argued that other senatorial districts of Delta State traditionally unite behind their own whenever it is their turn to produce the governor.
But the endorsement has attracted fierce criticism from sections of the public and political commentators, with questions being raised over whether traditional rulers should determine the political choice of millions of Urhobo citizens.
‘Must Everything Be Reduced To Pipeline Surveillance Dollars?’
Reacting to the development, activist and commentator Fejiro Oliver launched a scathing attack on the traditional rulers, accusing them of abandoning neutrality and allegedly becoming political campaigners.
Oliver questioned why the monarchs would publicly endorse one aspirant while describing themselves as apolitical.
He asked whether the traditional institution had not contributed enough to divisions within the Urhobo Nation, accusing some traditional rulers of allegedly becoming “Tantita errand boys” and, now, traditional campaign canvassers for Oborevwori.
Oliver also questioned whether political considerations and government patronage had influenced the position of some traditional institutions.
“Must everything be reduced to pipeline surveillance dollars and government Prado SUVs?” he asked.
He further challenged the monarchs to imagine making a similar declaration during Senate elections, suggesting that such a move could trigger an even stronger reaction across the traditional institution.
Oliver argued that the traditional rulers should have allowed all major Urhobo governorship aspirants to compete fairly and allowed voters to determine who emerges victorious.
‘The Decision Binds Every Urhobo Son And Daughter’
One particular portion of the monarchs’ statement has generated significant debate.
The traditional rulers declared that their decision to endorse Oborevwori “binds every Urhobo son and daughter, whether invited or not invited.”
Critics have described the language as incompatible with democratic principles, arguing that traditional rulers cannot legally compel citizens to vote for a particular candidate.
Reacting to the statement, another commentator argued that Nigeria’s constitutional system places elected political institutions above traditional institutions in matters of state governance.
He contended that traditional rulers are expected to remain neutral when several qualified members of the same ethnic group are contesting an election.
According to him, all major Urhobo aspirants are “illustrious sons” of the nation and should be allowed to compete, with the electorate deciding who deserves to govern Delta State.
‘This Is Democracy, Not Selection’
The critic argued that the appropriate position for the traditional institution should be to preach peace, tolerance and issue-based politics rather than publicly selecting a preferred candidate.
“The kings are supposed to be neutral, since all major candidates are illustrious Urhobo sons and deserve fair and developmental leadership. Let the best gubernatorial candidate win,” he said.
He added that democracy is fundamentally about allowing citizens to make individual choices through the ballot box.
“This is democracy for God’s sake and not selection,” he declared.
‘The Throne Is Now Running Errands For The Governor’
The sharpest criticism centred on the monarchs’ use of the phrase “whether invited or not invited.”
A commentator sarcastically welcomed the statement, saying:
«“I thought you were talking nonsense until I got the ‘The decision of the forum…’”»
He further questioned how the traditional rulers could claim to be counselling all Urhobo political aspirants while simultaneously endorsing one of them.
“When I see ‘invited or not invited,’ I just laugh,” he said, alleging that the traditional rulers appeared to be supporting the candidate who had allegedly “given” them political or financial benefits.
He concluded with a provocative question about the changing role of traditional institutions
«“The throne is now running errand for governor. How are the mighty fallen.”»
Citizens Still Have The Final Say
Despite the controversy, the traditional rulers’ declaration does not remove the constitutional right of individual voters to choose their preferred candidates at the ballot box.
Traditional institutions may exercise significant cultural and moral influence within their communities, but Nigeria’s electoral system ultimately rests on individual voters casting their ballots for candidates of their choice.
The controversy therefore raises a broader question for the Urhobo Nation ahead of 2027:
Should traditional rulers openly endorse a particular candidate in the name of ethnic unity, or should they remain neutral and allow every eligible Urhobo voter to independently decide who deserves their vote?
With the 2027 Delta governorship contest already generating intense political manoeuvring, the position of the Ukoko r’Ivie r’Urhobo is likely to remain a major subject of debate across the Urhobo political space.
Tarakirivoice will continue to monitor the reactions and political developments surrounding the 2027 Delta State governorship election.
