BY OLOROGUN KENNETH OGHENERORO OKPARA
THE dynamics of political engineering in Nigeria, and indeed elsewhere in the world, encapsulate the views of skeptics, cynics and enthusiasts, which when genuinely analysed, could draw a line of demarcation between real statesmen and students of Kakistocracy, who thrive on opportunism and tokenism.

In a democracy, while it is desirable for people to expand the frontiers of their inclusiveness in order to deepen their bond as a united people, selfish interests in the nomenclature of foisted leadership could torpedo their corporate existence.

As the electorate go to the polls come Saturday, October 12, to chose a senator to fill the vacuum created by the unfortunate death of an illustrious Urhobo son, Pius Akpor Ewherido, (may God Bless his soul), it has become expedient to express an opinion which would go a long way in resolving any iota of impediment to the cohesion and aspirations of the Urhobos as an ethnic group.

Emmanuel Aguariavwodo

The Urhobo nation as the fifth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, cannot afford to sit aloof and watch its democratic fortunes go down the drains through unpopular choice, compromised franchise and “alien candidacy”. Historically, the Urhobos are noted for their robust and popular politics anchored on pedigree, knowledge of cultural nexus, accessibility and quality representation by playing majority politics at all levels of governance as espoused by the Brumes, the Ibrus, et al.

At this critical period of Nigeria’s nascent democracy, the Urhobos should crave for a candidate that is domiciled in Urhoboland, who knows and share the pains of the people, who is familiar with the hinterlands, who speaks the Urhobo language fluently, and not a “Lagos Urhobo” or a “Weekend Urhobo” who only resurfaces when it is time for elections.

The former depicts the mould and character of Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, which is why the Urhobos should support him to emerge as Senator representing Delta Central in the Upper Chambers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

If political antecedents are anything to go by, the candidacy of Emmanuel Aguariavwodo is not only apt, appropriate and timely but also graceful and full of camaderie having been an astute and core loyalist of the political system. Before exploring other political avenues, Late Pius Ewherido was a staunch PDP member while as Deputy Speaker and Acting Speaker in the Delta State House of Assembly. The vision and ideologies of Pius Ewherido can therefore be actualized through a former colleague of his, Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, whom at a time was in the House of Representatives.

Aguariavwodo had a robust relationship with late Pius Ewherido, and while as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), impacted positively on the Urhobo nation. Both of them loved their people, their constituents, their language and formed a synergy for the propagation of the Urhobo culture. All notable senators lived in their Senatorial Districts.

Grasssroot assimilation can never be achieved overnight.  For instance, Senator James Manager, at every given opportunity, always return from Abuja to live with his people in Bomadi and Warri.  The same applies to Senator Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, who as a grassroot man and mobilizer, lives in Owa-Oyibu and Asaba.  Senator Felix Ibru in his days in the Senate, takes joy in dwelling with his Kith  and kins in his native Agbarha-Otor  country home where he receives visitors and listen to whatever they have got to say. While the murky waters of the political landscape is a familiar terrain to those whom the cap fits, it remain largely too complex for neophytes to grapple with.  Here, experience which Emmanuel Aguariavwodo  has garnered over the years count for him. In common parlance, a good product defies all manners of propaganda in the market place to compete favourably against other competing brands.  The candidacy of Emmanuel “God with us” should be supported by all Urhobo sons and daughters, irrespective of political leanings, ideologies and persuasion. Urhobo wa do!!!

•Olorogun Kenneth Okpara, the Izomo of Agbon Kingdom, the Okpagha of Umiaghwa, Abraka Kingdom, Senior Financial Management Specialist, fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), MBA Cantab and Current Commissioner for Finance, Delta State writes from Asaba.