By Emma Amaize & Akpokona Omafuaire
WARRI— GOVERNOR Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, weekend, appealed to the people of Urbobo ethnic nationality in the state to bury their political grievances against him and allow the state move forward.

Uduaghan made the call in his address to the Urhobo nation on the 80th anniversary celebration of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, an umbrella group of Urhobo.

Since the exit in 2007 of the former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, a larger percentage of Urhobo people, had worked at cross-purposes politically with Governor Uduaghan.

He said: “Whatever happened in politics should be forgotten. Let us move forward.

“Please, whatever wrong I did, I plead for forgiveness, and whatever good I do, I should be applauded. We cannot move forward if there is no unity.”

The governor noted that due to disunity, Urhobo had lost out in some aspects in the country.

He asked: “Where is Urhobo today at the Federal level? Before now Urhobo had ministers, though junior. But today, nothing due to disunity.”

On the tension over his successor, he said: “Whichever name you call wrapper, that is what others will call it. The rumour about who will replace me is heating up the polity but I advise you to support who can hear and plan with you.”

Uduaghan said the state government was not resting on its oars in developing Urhobo homeland, pointing at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Eku and Ughelli-Asaba road and other projects were testimonies of government’s commit-ment to the development of the area.

Congratulating UPU for attaining 80 years, he said the union was established ever before Urhobo sons and daughters of today were born, adding: “The success story of UPU means a lot and I thank you for inviting me.

“The president-general’s speech captures my concerns. I pray that the speech be adopted and implemented, and if this can be achieved, we will be a better state.”

UPU President-General, Chief Patrick Aziza, had earlier in his speech, appealed to respected Urhobo traditional rulers, all Urhobo sons and daughters to promote Urhobo land and her people.

“If we fail to protect Urhobo land as a nation, nobody will do it for us,” he admonished.