A Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ughelli north local government area of Delta State, Hon. Barr. Roland Oyibo, has blasted Urhobo political class for their lack of empathy and show of support to the plight of the Okuama people who are camped at IDP Camp at Ewu-Urhobo, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Ughelli north PDP chairmanship aspirant in the July 13 local government poll stated this while speaking to Journalists at his chamber in Ughelli, wondering why the political class in Delta Central has been aloof in the efforts by well meaning Urhobos to bring succour to the Okuama people and complement the noble efforts of the Delta State Government.
Barr. Oyibo enjoined the Urhobo political class, Urhobo Bishops and Churches to take a cue from the Council of Urhobo Traditional Rulers, UPU leadership and other Urhobo sons and daughters in the private sectors and some Urhobo group, by showing the humanity in them by supporting and donating relief materials to the Okuama people.
This is coming few hours after the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, played host to the leadership of Urhobo Council of Traditional Rulers, led by its Chairman and Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM, Emmanuel Sideso Abe 1, and the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU Worldwide, led by its President General, Chief Ese Gam, at Government House, Asaba, on Thursday.
He noted that politicians shouldn’t just be seen when they wants to ask for peoples votes during elections, but should also identify with their people by lending a helping hands during challenging time like that of Okuama people.
The outspoken lawyer, frowned at a situation where the members of the State House of Assembly, representing Ughelli South and Urhobo lawmakers in National Assembly not supporting their people of Okuama, wondering who they are representing.
He said; “I am shocked to hear that the Member, Delta State House of Assembly, representing Ughelli South State Constituency, the Commissioners from the Ughelli South, the Council Chairman and other key appointee of the Delta State Governor from Ughelli South has not shown concern to the plight of their people. The same people they go to each time to ask for votes.
“What is wrong if political appointees from Ughelli South collectively pull resource together to get relief materials to the people of Okuama to support the efforts of the Government. Who are they representing? What should have been the Council Chairman first official assignment on resumption of office, than paying official visit to assess the situation of the camp if they are motivated by service to the people?
While we commend our amiable Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for taking the bold initiative in setting up the Okuama IDP Camp at Ewu-Urhobo, it’s behoves on all Nigerian and particularly Urhobo people to support the efforts of the government by moblising and donating relief materials to the camp to give the people sense of belong and a sign that they are not alone in their moment of trial.
These are people for no faults of theirs, a people who didn’t commit any crime, but were sacked from their homes because of an unfortunate incident deserves our empathy and supports, not this alooftnes shown by our political and religious leaders from Urhobo Nation.
“The Urhobo Nation has a lot of prominent bishops in Nigeria, most of them particularly from Ughelli South has big Churches and large members, they should set aside one Sunday offerings and the collection to support Okuama people’s rehabilitation. The Church is supposed to be a place of charity, so, I appeal to our Lord Bishops and other Churches in Urhobo land to rise to the occasion and support good works, this is the primary essence of Christianity, loving our neighbors.
“I also wish to appeal to all political appointees and elected one from Urhobo Nation to show the humanity in them by rallying support and donating relief materials to the Okuama people.
“It’s sad that our Urhobos in House of Assembly and National Assembly has not shown any concern to the suffering of our Okuama people, this is not about PDP, APC or Labour, this is about humanity. So, let show that we are indeed humans by identifying with Okuama people.
“The 10 Urhobo House of Assembly members should pull resources together and do something. Same for all the political leaders and appointees, even those who aspired in the last governorship elections to lead Delta from Delta Central, has not shown concern and said anything about Okuama people.
“They should all show to us that indeed their intentions for coming into public office is to serve the people by giving a helping hands to Okuama people”, he added.
