2027: GOMEP-NG Condemns Urhobo Monarchs’ Endorsement of Oborevwori

The 2027 Delta governorship race has taken a fresh turn after GOMEP-NG challenged the reported decision of Urhobo traditional rulers to back Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as the sole candidate of the Urhobo Nation. The Guild warned that the move could deepen political divisions and urged the monarchs to remain neutral fathers to all aspirants.

GOMEP-NG has condemned the reported endorsement of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori by Urhobo traditional rulers as the sole governorship candidate of the Urhobo Nation ahead of the 2027 Delta State election. The Guild urged the monarchs to remain politically neutral, give all aspirants equal access and allow Urhobo voters to freely choose their preferred candidate.

ASABA — The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has condemned the reported endorsement of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as the sole governorship candidate of the Urhobo Nation ahead of the 2027 election.

The Guild described the decision by the leadership of the Ukoko R’Ivie R’Urhobo, the umbrella body of Urhobo traditional rulers in Delta State, as unfortunate and potentially divisive.

GOMEP-NG said traditional rulers, as royal fathers and custodians of culture, should exercise caution on political matters and avoid actions that could be seen as partisan endorsements.

The Guild made its position known through its National President, Comrade Akpovoke Otiti.

According to Otiti, the emergence of several governorship aspirants from the Urhobo Nation should not be viewed as a threat to unity.

Rather, he said, it should be seen as an expression of citizens’ democratic rights and their desire to offer themselves for public service.

«“We respect our traditional rulers as royal fathers and custodians of our heritage. But politics should not become a reason for the traditional institution to publicly take sides against other sons of the same soil who are also qualified and interested in serving their people,” Otiti said.»

GOMEP-NG Questions ‘Sole Candidate’ Declaration

GOMEP-NG questioned the wisdom of publicly declaring one candidate as the sole choice of the Urhobo Nation while other Urhobo governorship aspirants remain in the race.

The Guild maintained that traditional rulers have a wider responsibility to their people.

They are expected to offer counsel, prayers and guidance to all their subjects. Therefore, the Guild said, no candidate should be made to feel excluded because of his or her political ambition.

The Guild also raised concerns over the reported decision by the monarchs not to receive governorship candidates from other political parties in their palaces across Delta State.

GOMEP-NG said such a position could create the impression that the traditional institution had moved beyond its customary role as a unifying force and into active partisan politics.

‘Palaces Should Be Open To All’

According to the Guild, traditional rulers have a unique duty to remain fathers to all, regardless of political party, ideology or personal ambition.

It therefore urged the monarchs to reconsider the declaration and allow Urhobo voters to freely decide who should represent them in the 2027 governorship election.

GOMEP-NG said the traditional institution could play a more valuable role by bringing all governorship aspirants together.

It also urged the monarchs to preach peace, discourage political thuggery and offer prayers and fatherly counsel to all candidates.

Rather than endorse one candidate and call on others to withdraw, the Guild said the monarchs should help create an atmosphere where every aspirant can present his or her ideas to the people.

Otiti further appealed to the Urhobo monarchs to protect the dignity and neutrality traditionally associated with the royal institution.

He stressed that the 2027 election should not become a source of division among brothers and sisters of the same ethnic nationality.

«“The palace should be a home for everybody. Our traditional rulers are supposed to be royal fathers to all their sons and daughters. They should consult, counsel, pray and encourage peaceful politics. Let the people decide at the appropriate time,” he said.»

GOMEP-NG Commends Call For Peace

GOMEP-NG, however, acknowledged the concerns reportedly raised by the monarchs over political tension and thuggery in Urhobo land.

The Guild described the call for peaceful elections as commendable.

However, it maintained that the promotion of peace would be more credible if all political aspirants were given equal access to the traditional institution.

The Guild therefore called on all Urhobo governorship candidates, including Governor Oborevwori and his challengers, to conduct themselves with maturity.

It urged them to avoid inflammatory statements and focus their campaigns on issues that matter to the people.

The electorate, GOMEP-NG said, should also be allowed to assess every candidate based on competence, character, track record and policy proposals.

‘Unity Should Not Mean Political Coercion’

GOMEP-NG said the Urhobo Nation deserves unity, but such unity should not be achieved through political coercion.

According to the Guild, genuine unity should accommodate different political opinions and allow qualified citizens to pursue their political ambitions within the law.

The Guild consequently urged the Ukoko R’Ivie R’Urhobo to reconsider any position that could be perceived as partisan.

It stressed that the traditional institution would serve the Urhobo people better by remaining a respected and neutral father to all political contestants.

GOMEP-NG maintained that the palace should remain a place where every son and daughter can seek counsel, irrespective of political affiliation.

The Guild said the ultimate decision on who will govern Delta State in 2027 should be left to the people through a free, peaceful and democratic process.