By Emmanuel Ogoigbe
Leaders of the Urhobo ethnic bloc within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have called for the party’s chairmanship position in the council to be zoned to the Urhobo ahead of the 2026 APC congresses.
In a position paper jointly signed by prominent Urhobo stakeholders, the group urged the party leadership to ensure equitable political representation, arguing that the Urhobo people have been sidelined in the local government’s political structure for over two decades.
The statement was endorsed by Olorogun Bernard Okumagba (Chairman), Chief Benson Obire (Vice Chairman), Hon. Mark Ikpuri, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP, Chief Isaac Emifoniye, JP, Chief Vincent Okudolor, JP (Secretary), Rev. Canon Dr. David Otofia, Chief Dr. Westham Adehor, JP, Chief Ann Gagiyovwin, JP, Chief Peter Agiri, JP, among other leaders.
According to the Urhobo bloc, since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999, political leadership in Warri South Local Government Area has been dominated by the Itsekiri ethnic group, leaving the Urhobo without representation in key positions.
Warri South LGA is predominantly made up of two major ethnic groups — Urhobo and Itsekiri. However, the Urhobo leaders maintained that the position of Council Chairman, whether by election or appointment, has consistently been occupied by Itsekiri indigenes.
They listed past and present council chairmen to include Chief J.S. Otumara, Barrister Fred Enemighin, Chief Arthur Diden, Hon. Austin Uroye, Mofe Edema, Dr. Michael Tidi, and the incumbent, Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro — all of whom they noted are from the Itsekiri bloc.
The group described the trend as a “systemic political imbalance” and appealed to the APC leadership at the local, state, and national levels to address what they termed longstanding inequity by ceding the party chairmanship in Warri South to the Urhobo in the forthcoming congresses.
They emphasised that their demand is rooted in fairness, inclusivity, and the need to strengthen party unity ahead of future electoral contests.
