By Mick Oseji, Asaba
The Okpe Union on Tuesday stressed that growth and development would continue to elude the Okpe Kingdom unless its people desist from blind support for political parties and candidates.
“We call on all Okpe nationals to vote only for candidates who subscribe to the 14-point Okpe Nation Agenda. Blind support for political parties and candidates since 1999 has failed the Okpe Nation across all indices of growth and development,” the union said.
The union also urged Okpe nationals to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“It is time to reclaim the Okpe Nation for the growth and development of Okpe land,” it added.
In a statement on political participation issued by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union Worldwide, the body vowed to support only candidates committed to the actualisation of the 14-point Okpe Nation Agenda.
“Okpe Union, like other responsible ethnic organisations, will only endorse candidates for elective offices who subscribe to the 14-point Okpe Nation Agenda,” the statement read.
The statement, signed by Okpe Union President-General, Prof. Igho Natufe, and National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Victor Oruno, called on Okpe nationals to assess all prospective candidates for the presidency, vice presidency, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly positions across all political parties before casting their votes in 2027.
“As we enter another election cycle in Nigeria, we expect politicians to flock to town and village halls, distributing rice, beans, wrappers and other items to buy votes. This presents an opportunity for critically minded Okpe nationals to assess all prospective candidates—across all levels and political parties—before casting their votes in 2027.
“Therefore, we urge Okpe nationals to begin assessing the performance of current officeholders and prospective candidates, not through the prism of political affiliation, but based on individual merit and suitability,” it added.
The union identified key priorities, including the preservation and promotion of Okpe identity as a distinct ethnic nationality; addressing the threat of extinction facing the Okpe language; introducing the language in primary and secondary schools; restoring Okpe language broadcasts on state-owned radio and television stations; and establishing postgraduate scholarship schemes.
It also advocated allocating 10 per cent of funds accruing from oil companies’ contributions to Sapele and Okpe Local Government Councils to an Okpe Scholarship Fund, to be managed by a Board of Trustees.
“The Okpe Nation Agenda derives from the communiqué of the Okpe World Conference held in Sapele from November 17 to 19, 2006, organised by Okpe Voice. It marked a renaissance of Okpe identity as an ethnic nationality.
“It also draws from the coronation brochure of HRM Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, which recognised Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. The agenda, as outlined in the communiqué of the first Okpe World Conference, was approved by HRM Orhue I and his palace chiefs on November 20, 2006, during a meeting with delegates of Okpe Voice, including leaders of Okpe Union Nigeria, Okpe Union of North America and the Okpe Union UK Branch,” the statement added.
Further recommendations include the conversion of Sapele Technical College into a polytechnic; increased Okpe participation in state and national politics; regular engagement between elected Okpe leaders and the people; establishment of an Okpe Leaders Forum; empowerment of Okpe women; creation of an Okpe Monitoring Board; and the twinning of Okpe towns with major cities in Europe and North America to attract foreign direct investment.
