THE philosophy that gave birth to Uvwiamuge declaration was applauded as sound thinking by many within and outside Urhobo land and envied its originators. But with time it suffered illusion due to poor interpretation on the whims and caprices of individuals because of political bias and the undue presence of money. It led to many undesirable and sometimes shameless use of the press which by any rational analysis is tantamount to the proverbial dancing naked at the market place.

History is, in fact, a very bad teacher otherwise many of these participant observers would do well to recollect the era of late Dr. Frederick Esiri as the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) president general, the emergence of late Chief James Edewor, then Chief David Ejoor and the litigation by F. Esiri which more or less (in view of a comparable circumstance) put the Union into interregnum until the arrival of Chief James Ibori as governor. He single handedly revived the Union from an imminent doom which starred us all in the face then. Chief Ibori said at the time that: “it was a shame when other cultural groups like Afenifere, Arewa, N’digbo, et al were playing vital roles in the political affairs in their different areas of operation but the UPU, the oldest of them all was moribund.”

A delegation of Urhobo elders led by Chief Ofotuku was sent to Esiri to withdraw the legal suit which he obliged them. This development paved the way for the Congress of 1999 in which late Chief Benjamin Okumagba was elected the president general. Ame re asiava mwe ‘kpavwe. There is need to thread softly and to eschew these frequent unguarded utterances, unwarranted developments, press releases and uncontrolled publications. The UPU should not be sacrificed on the altar of the audacity of the ambition of two men who have all it takes to sort themselves out.

Though I read one of those banner headlines where Chief O’tega Emerhor screamed it would be an insult for him to step down for Chief Great Ogboru. There is nothing like insult in political lexicon. Politicians always scheme to win. Look at these scenarios: In the last American presidential elections, Milt Romney won the presidential ticket of the Republican Party. He picked Senator Paul Ryan as his vice presidential running mate. The senator had earlier contested very fiercely for the party ticket with him. Romney reasoned that the sitting senator (Paul Ryan) would handle the senate constituency to his advantage if they had won. That is superlative political calculation and late President Ronald Reagan chose George W. Bush (Snr) who had earlier in their contest for the Republican ticked called Ronald Reagan’s economic proposals “voodoo economics.” Reagan knew that Bush as a former CIA boss was in possession of vital information they would need later. So politics is the ability to manipulate conflicting ideas into useful and manageable winning formular.

These American politicians are either multi millionaires or multi billionaires who do not make references to their wealth except once under heat of debate Senator Paul Ryan in reaction to the vice president, Joe Bidden’s question quipped “Romney could pay all our salaries, that is how wealthy he is, a remark regretted after and his boss told him he did not like it. But here Emerhor’s aides make a singsong of how wealthy he is and that he was the one sponsoring Great Ogboru when he was in DPP. He learnt from Ogboru, no doubt. A message the boss reiterated on a visit to Sapele. Likewise Chief O’tega Emerhor has promised Delta State the sum of 10billion to develop the state. This is wrong. No leader should spend his personal money to run a government.

What the people need is your sterling ideal. This is why am amazed that nothing is being said so far on manifestoes. In all honesty, the governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduagha has continually urged the candidates to roll out what they plan to do if elected. Two weeks ago, I listened to Great Ogboru on Bronz FM Benin City. I was thrilled when he explained his philosophy on grassroots development emanating from the local government to let the People say what they want and it remains the duty of government to provide such needs. The people’s General has been consistent on this development pattern since day one in 2003 when he entered Delta State politics. It will check corruption and enhance productivity and accountability. This political pyramid is an innovation that must be given a chance.

In fact, in 2007, my media house- The Bulletin prepared a proposal aimed at locating the developmental needs of every community or neighborhoods in each of the 25 LGAs in the state as a basis for meeting the people at their points of need. It was made available to the then governorship candidates to commission us for the study. We expected the man who won that election to contact us. After that, I wrote a letter to Dr.Uduaghan in an article form to consider the Great Ogboru developmental pyramid approach with all seriousness. Set campaign grudges apart and if need be invite the originator for a detailed talk. No reply, no thanks.

Same approach I took after the late President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua won, about the ministry of Niger Delta. It was initially an Atiku Abubakar idea. I equally advised that he should invite Atiku. Whether he ever read my letter or not but he set up the ministry with Chief Ekaete as first ministry. He was a civil servant. Then Elder Peter Orubebe – a preacher. Lately Dr. Peter Oru. It would have been different if Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had had an input.

Two years ago, the Delta State governor assigned Kenneth Okpara as commissioner for economic planning to go round the state to attempt to unravel the pyramid developmental formular. The findings perhaps are locked up somewhere.

Coming back to the main point of this triumuirate of the UPU, Ogboru and Emerhor people should be wary of careless talks. We read of people like Onokpasa saying Ogboru has made bargain with this and that. That he has tried four times is not an enough reason to be discouraged. All that matters is the ambition and zeal in him. He is a man of innovative ideas. Reagan tried seven times before he became US president. Milt Romney has tried four times. He wanted to come back again but for that New York Times editorial. He may ignore it all the same.

Recently Ogboru has told us he would build a refinery in Delta State. Okowa: I’ll revive DSC. This is a federal establishment mark you.Emerhor; I’ll give 10billion

Let us put these on the scale of relevance, need and workability. Deltans shine your eyes.

Mr. Ben Etaghene, editorial director of the Bulletin, wrote from Sapele, Delta State.