By Festus Ahon, Akpokona Omafauire, Perez Brisibe & Ochuko Akpopha

UGHELLI— ONE month after the Chief Joe Omene-led Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, purportedly held its election into the union’s national executive, the Urhobo nation, yesterday, converged at the Urhobo Cultural Centre, Uviamughe, Agbarho, to elect new officials of the union.

The election was held amidst tight security during an emergency congress convoked by the UPU Board of Trustees with 13, out of the 24 Urhobo monarchs and delegates from the various kingdoms present. Olorogun Moses Taiga and Ese Gam emerged as President General and Secretary General, respectively, unopposed.

In his address, secretary of the BoT, Chief Victor Otomiewo, explained that based on the express provisions of the UPU constitution, an emergency congress was supposed to be convened by the BoT in times of crisis.

He said: “It is crystal clear to all that the UPU is in great crisis, unrest and chaos that has been foisted upon the union as a result of the in-fighting, allegations and counter-allegations of fraud, abuse of office, gross misconduct as well as flagrant and/or total disregard of the express provisions of the UPU and other laid down laws perpetuated by members of the immediate past national executive led by Chief Joe Omene whose tenure expired on December 2, 2016. The crisis rocking the UPU got to a head on December 2, 2016 when Chief Joe Omene in spite of two pending suits wherein he and his executives were sued, went ahead to commit a sacrilege and abomination that has never been heard of or witnessed in the over 85 years history and of the UPU and Urhoboland at large.”