By Godwin Oghre

Mosogar—The Urhobo nation, through its umbrella body, Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, has denied news that Urhobo Traditional Rulers Forum Ukokori Ivie Urhobo, has endorsed Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the next governor of Delta State, through the influence of ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, alias Tompolo.

This came on the heels of assurance from President Goodluck Jonathan to the Urhobo nation, that he will wade into the issue of federal appointments meant for Delta State, which allegedly favoured Delta North more than Delta Central.

President General of UPU, Chief Joseph Omene, yesterday in Mosogar, also said that the President had promised to revamp ailing Federal Government companies in Urhoboland in his second tenure.

Denying the allegation of Okowa’s endorsement by a section of Urhobo royal fathers, Chief Omene, said: “It is not true that the few Urhobo kings Tompolo met endorsed Senator Okowa. If they did, they would have been able to come and say they had endorsed Senator Okowa, just as Urhobo have done through UPU for President Jonathan. To the best of my knowledge, the kings told him that he should go and meet with UPU after which UPU will brief them. That was what they told him.”

Omene expressed optimism that the Urhobo will produce the next governor of the state, adding that there was no going back on it.