By Festus Ahon

UGHELLI — AS the Urhobo nation mourns the death of the President General of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, General Patrick Aziza (rtd), a cross section of the Urhobo political class, yesterday, described his death as unexpected and tragic.

Those, who spoke to Vanguard, include Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor, Olorogun Taleb Tebite, Chief Fred Majemite and Chief Solomon Awhinawhi.
Emerhor, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State, said: “The death of our Aziza is a tragedy for the Urhobo nation. The timing couldn’t have been worse.
“He died at a time when the Urhobos are at a cross-roads. General Aziza’s stable hand for UPU and Urhobo is clearly indispensable. Urhobo has lost an honest, capable and a patriotic leader. I join millions of Urhobos, Deltans and other well wishers to mourn him and to console and pray for his family.”

Olorogun Tembite, member of Delta State House of Assembly, said: “The Urhobo nation has lost a worthy son, a patriotic leader, who has served us creditably.
“Aziza emerged as the President General of UPU at a critical time in the history of the Urhobos and he did his best to shore up our value as an ethnic nationality. He promoted peace and unity amongst the Urhobo people. We will miss him dearly.”

Political Adviser to the state governor (Delta Central), Chief Majemite, said: “If it was possible, we would have stopped his death; it is painful that General Aziza has to die at this time that we needed him most.
“Aziza will be remembered for his good handling of the UPU. We recall that he led a delegation to President Goodluck Jonathan to canvass for the appointment of an Urhobo son as minister when we hadn’t any and today, we have a minister. We pray God to grant him eternal rest in his bosom.”

Also, Chief Ahwinawhi, former member of House of Representatives, said: “It is sad and painful that our Aziza has to die at this time.
“His death is a monumental loss to the Urhobo nation, the state and Nigeria.
“He made great marks in his military days and after he retired. He raised the UPU to a great level as President General. We will miss him.”