Omoko Calls for Urhobo Replacement for Late Bayelsa Deputy Governor

Former President of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Youth Wing, Dr. Nicholas Omoko, has called on Urhobo traditional rulers, political leaders, and socio-cultural groups to immediately mobilise and demand the appointment of another Urhobo indigene as replacement for the late Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

Dr. Omoko warned that the Urhobo nation must not allow itself to be politically marginalised under any guise, stressing that the deputy governorship position rightfully belongs to the Urhobo ethnic nationality and must remain so in the interest of justice, equity, and fairness.

According to him, the late Ewhrudjakpo occupied the office as an Urhobo representative under an existing political understanding, and any attempt to replace him with a non-Urhobo would amount to a deliberate exclusion of the Urhobo people from Bayelsa’s power structure.

He urged Urhobo traditional rulers, elected officials, opinion leaders, youths, and pressure groups to speak with one voice and apply sustained, peaceful pressure on the Bayelsa State Government to respect the political rights of the Urhobo nation.

“The Urhobo people have made immense contributions to the political stability and development of Bayelsa State. This is not the time for silence or compromise,” Omoko hinted.

He cautioned that failure to act decisively now could set a dangerous precedent that would weaken Urhobo political representation in the state for years to come.

Dr. Omoko emphasized that the demand is neither sentimental nor confrontational, but a legitimate call anchored on fairness, inclusion, and the protection of Urhobo interests within the Bayelsa political arrangement.