The Urhobo people of Warri South Local Government Area, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have formally demanded equitable political representation in the local government, calling for the position of Party Chairman to be ceded to the Urhobo bloc ahead of the forthcoming 2026 APC Party Congresses.

The position paper conveying the demand was jointly signed by prominent Urhobo leaders and stakeholders in Warri South, including Olorogun Bernard Okumagba (Chairman), Chief Benson Obire (Vice Chairman), Hon. Mark Ikpuri, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, JP, Chief Isaac Emifoniye, JP, Chief Vincent Okudolor, JP (Secretary), Rev. Canon Dr. David Otofia, Chief Dr. Westham Adehor, JP, Chief Ann Gagiyovwin, JP, Chief Peter Agiri, JP, among others.

The demand, articulated in a detailed position statement, comes against the backdrop of what the Urhobo bloc described as over two decades of systemic political exclusion since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1998.

Warri South Local Government Area is composed of two major ethnic and political blocs — Urhobo and Itsekiri. However, the Urhobo leaders lamented that political power in the council has remained disproportionately skewed in favour of the Itsekiri bloc, to the near-total exclusion of the Urhobo people.
According to the statement, from the inception of the Fourth Republic to date, the position of Council Chairman, whether through election or appointment, has been exclusively occupied by Itsekiri individuals. Those who have held the position include Chief J.S. Otumara, Barrister Fred Enemighin, Chief Arthur Diden, Hon. Austin Uroye, Mofe Edema, Dr. Michael Tidi, and the incumbent, Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro.

In the same vein, the Urhobo bloc noted that the position of APC Party Chairman in Warri South LGA has also remained in Itsekiri hands since 1998. Party leaders listed include Dr. Meyiwa Erewa, Amah Agbajoh, Johnson Agbeyegbe, Hon. Richard Pessu, and the incumbent, Mario Owumi.

“Currently, both the Council Chairman and the APC Party Chairman in Warri South are from the same ethnic bloc. This long-standing pattern of exclusion runs contrary to the principles of fairness, equity, inclusiveness and democratic balance, which are fundamental to peaceful coexistence and sustainable development,” the statement read.

As the APC prepares for its congresses nationwide, the Urhobo people stressed that their demand is timely, legitimate and anchored on justice, insisting that ceding the party chairmanship to the Urhobo bloc would restore balance, strengthen party cohesion and deepen democratic inclusion at the grassroots.

The leaders were careful to clarify that their call is not borne out of hostility, antagonism or ethnic rivalry, but rather a genuine appeal for fairness and equal participation in the political leadership of Warri South.
They further drew comparisons with neighbouring local governments such as Warri South West and Warri North, where political power is reportedly shared between ethnic blocs — particularly the Ijaw and Itsekiri — in the spirit of equity, inclusion and peaceful coexistence, despite similar demographic compositions.
“This situation stands in sharp contrast to what is obtainable in our sister local governments, where power-sharing arrangements have promoted unity, peace and stability,” the statement noted.

The Urhobo stakeholders warned that the continued marginalization of their people from key political positions in Warri South is unjust, undemocratic and inimical to the long-term stability of the APC in the local government, adding that it undermines the core values upon which the ruling party is founded.
Reaffirming their loyalty to the party and government at all levels, the Urhobo bloc pledged unwavering support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as well as the M.O.R.E Agenda of Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, stressing that their call for equity aligns squarely with these governance philosophies which prioritise inclusion, fairness and shared prosperity.

The Urhobo people reiterated their commitment to peace, unity and the collective progress of Warri South Local Government Area, urging party leaders, elders and stakeholders to embrace equity as the surest pathway to lasting stability, cohesion and democratic growth within the APC in Warri South LGA.