DPP Propaganda and Ogboru’s masquerade as symbol of Urhobo nationalism: role of Urhobo press

Author: By Maxwell Okirikpo

When chief Great Ogboru came into Delta politics in 2003, he rode on the image of a hero who attempted to free southern Nigeria, from what was then perceived as dominion and exploitation by a supposed northern oligarchy. This image of a ‘freedom fighter’ stemmed from the myth created about him, as the inspiration behind the abortive military putsch of 1990.

The question today is what has become of our fate since the political dethronement of the oligarchy in 1999? The regrettable answer to this question reveals Ogboru’s ideological failure and naivety in 1990; as he erroneously assumed the political interest of all southern nationalities to be synonymous. Ogboru thus equated the strategic interest of Urhobo to those of other southern nationality then. However, the events since the 1999 ceding of power to the south has clearly invalidated that assumption. For example, while southern nationalities such as the Yorubas, the Ijaws and Itsekiris amongst others; have since gained political advancement in this new epoch, the fate of Urhobo still hangs in balance.   

 And the Urhobo Press, at its inception, failed to critically look at and present the objective perspective of Urhobo interest in that misadventure of 1990. They thus lent themselves as vehicle of the propaganda that created a heroic image for Ogboru in the eyes of many Urhobo people in 2003.

The groundswell of this propaganda, facilitated by sections of the Urhobo Press especially, railroaded many Urhobo people to vote for Ogboru in 2003, on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).  It was thereafter seized upon by the DPP; again with the active encouragement of the Urhobo press.  For example, before any judgment in the series of electoral litigations involving Ogboru, our people are severally inundated and deceived by widespread report of certain victory.  And at the end of the day, such reports have always turned out to be mere hoax. Here lies the strategy that has been used to sustain Ogboru’s uncritical support base; among an otherwise disillusioned Urhobo people so one, not even the most gullible of this strategy that sustains a state of illusionary expectation, should again be deceived by Ogboru’s recently reported returned to court, over an electoral litigation which every one thought had run its conclusive course. Now senatorial by-election are around the corner they are only resorting to this worn out strategy, by dangling the illusion of gubernatorial expectations; to rally support among already disillusioned supporters. Nevertheless, since propaganda is a legitimate instrument of politics, to that extent, must we concede that the DPP has excelled in its use.

What is unacceptable however, is the height of recklessness and absurdity to which the Democratic People’s Party, DPP, has further taken this Ogboru propaganda enterprise;  in addition to the usual winning of court cases on pages of Urhobo newspapers even before actual judgments are pronounced. The result of all this is that, our people are being misled to see Ogboru, not just as a symbol of Urhobo political heritage, but as the totem of Urhobo nationalism as a whole. It is even to the ridiculous extent that, any Urhobo who differs on Ogboru’s gubernatorial ambition or nurses a similar ambition is branded an anti-Urhobo; even in their party. And this was how demagogues in that party, not only called the late Senator Ewherido a traitor, but went as far as invoking curses on him in the name of Urhobo ancestry, for a perceived democratic ambition.

A measure of the great success of this misleading propaganda is that even some Urhobo elites, who are supposed to be more discerning, have become victims themselves also. A particularly regrettable case appears to be that of the versatile Urhobo writer Miss Annabel Ogheneganre, who has won the admiration of many in her recent media outings. On page 5 of the Urhobo times of July 25, 2013, she wrote that “DPP as it stands today is divided…” and that “let UPU as I have said over and over take the challenge of making peace between the factions”. There can be no clearer statement on the masquerade of Ogboru and the DPP as Urhobo political symbol and party respectively. Why has UPU not been called upon to intervene in the internal crisis of other political parties such as the PDP, ACN and LP?

So, if an Urhobo elite, who features regularly in the Urhobo press, particularly in the Urhobo times, might herself be a victim of such partisan propaganda, one would appreciate the urgent imperative of its deconstruction. Therefore, in the present political wilderness which Urhobo finds herself today, the danger of continuing in this misleading partisan usurpation of our collective political heritage cannot be over emphasized.

In deconstructing the Ogboru/DPP propaganda strategy, let us examine its usual demonization of the PDP and attendant sanctification of the DPP as a case study. This demonization for example, aptly finds characteristic expression in the conspiracy theories that have continued to trail the sad death of Senator Ewerido. A particular version of this theory, contained in Miss Ogheneganre’s same article on 25^th July, Urhobo Times, insinuated the late senator’s death as the result of “designs of some PDP hawks and demons in Delta State”. She went on to say that because of this, the PDP would be in trouble in the coming election.

Firstly, let us not conveniently forget that majority of DPP members were former PDP people, who crossed over to seek political actualization as a result of perceived marginalization, in their former party. Does the cloak now make the monk? In SHIBUMI, Trevanian wrote that “when cultures crossbreed, the dominant and base values prevail” perhaps, this explains why observers have wondered whether a DPP in power would not have resulted in political dictatorship and intolerance in Delta State.

What about those DPP House of Assembly members, who rode to office on the bandwagon of the Ogboru/DPP propaganda, only to have reassumed PDP membership today? Where lies the so-called Urhobo cause?

Now we are all witnesses to a new height of their propaganda, as the sad death of Senator Ewherido, even before his burial, was turned into a tool of election campaign; using the same section of the Urhobo press as vehicle. Hence, the emergence of conspiracy theories, that insinuate PDP as the architect of his death.  It therefore becomes necessary to subject these conspiracy theories that raise more questions than answers, to a test of logic. This is so that, in the trauma of the senator’s death, our people would not fall for opportunistic partisan antics that seek to turn an Urhobo tragedy into a campaign issue. Let it be hastily stated however, that in our peculiar spiritual environment, it is possible that his death might not have been natural after all.

It is also important to note that the late senator was an original PDP member, for which speculated governorship ambition; several PDP members had vowed to throw away partisan consideration and work to actualize. Secondly and more instructive, under the PDP umbrella presently, are different gubernatorial camps plotting for the party’s 2015 ticket, as is typical of every party; in the build-up to their primary elections. So, which of these camps that have not even secured their party’s ticket would begin to focus with such devilish intent, on an even speculated opposition candidate?   How can a party that has not yet come under the umbrella of one candidate, focus on a merely anticipated   common opponent; in an election that is over two years away? Again we have a sitting PDP Governor who is completing his constitutionally circumscribed two-term tenure in 2015. So what would be the basis of the personal desperation that could inspire such extremism? However, if such a conspiracy theory had pointed at specific individuals in the PDP, who were in contention with the late senator for his senatorial seat, as a more widespread version does, then perhaps it could have passed the test of logic.  Only God can tell; because there is so much evil in the world today. To insinuate an entire political party however, is the height of illogicality.

As with the logic of police investigations, the prime suspects in a murder case, are usually those having issues of conflict with the diseased. And everyone is aware of the deep seated enmity in some quarters of the DPP against the late senator. This is even to the extent that some persons were no longer on speaking terms; not to talk of curses being invoked on him. Why then are there no conspiracy theories pointing in this most logical direction? What of those in his party whose gubernatorial ambitions felt threatened by his own? Whatever be the true situation however, the wicked shall not go unpunished; as God says. The point here is that Annabel’s conspiracy theory version, that seek to stigmatize the entire PDP as a party, fails the test of logic. This failure is characteristics of DPP demonization of the PDP in most cases.     

The danger in this untenable superimposition of Ogboru as symbol of Urhobo nationalism,   by the propaganda machinery of DPP, with tactless support of some sections of Urhobo press, cannot be over emphasized. For example, it is capable of aggravating the already painful marginalization of Urhobo in Nigerian government and politics; with an additional crisis of awkward partisan identity and isolation that afflicts DPP today.

It is a great insult to reduce the whole historic heritage, of an entire ethnic nationality as Urhobo, to the narrow interest of an individual’s political ambition. Nationalities where certain individuals symbolize their political heritage are usually those with indigenous and home grown political parties; and such individuals emerge from the evolutionary process of leadership in these parties.  This explains the generational emergence of a series of leaders from the late Obafemi Awolowo to the present day Bola Tinubu, who can be described as political symbols of the Yoruba nation. Their parties over time, from the Action Group (AG), to the Unity Party, of Nigeria (UPN) and from AD to ACN were not only home-grown, but essentially the same; revolving around a clear political lineage. This same history is replicated in the east and north also. The South African experience is another illustration of individuals who became symbols of their nationalism; on the platform of the indigenous parties, in this case, the African National Congress (ANC).

How then can a man who contested on the platform of a South-West regional party, AD, in 2003, against a fellow Urhobo man, who ran on the ticket of the then Urhobo preferred party, the PDP, be propagated as symbol of Urhobo nationalism? Was it not the same Ogboru who went ahead to contest and bitterly fought against Chief James Ibori in 2003; even when the UPU, under the leadership of late Chief Benjamin Okumagba, had endorsed the latter? Where then is the Urhobo spirit in Ogboru? Again, was he accused of being anti-Urhobo by the PDP then? Or did the PDP parade Ibori as the symbol of Urhobo nationalism on account of the UPU endorsement?

So, it is not only misleading, but fraudulent to misconstrue the circumstantial support of UPU in 2011 governorship elections, as making Ogboru the symbol of Urhobo political heritage. The DPP should know that he was an Urhobo man contesting elections at a time Urhobo marginalization had reached desperate proportions. They should also know that to the Urhobo nation, 2011 was a decisive culmination of the rage that trailed former Governor James Ibori’s installation of his brother as Governor in 2007. The Urhobo resolve was further fueled by a collective feeling of deliberate political persecution by Itsekiri governorship. So, it was like a feud against sectional political persecution.

In all these propaganda that DPP had relied upon to deceive the Urhobo people all along, the complicity of sections of Urhobo press cannot be overlooked.   Their lack of circumspection, constantly fed by the propaganda machinery of the DPP, resulted in this media creation; that has continued to distract the Urhobo nation.

Now that the time has come for Urhobo to move on from the propagandist appropriation of our collective political heritage, the Urhobo press must be in the Vanguard of the new struggle for true Urhobo political resurgence. This process must begin with the deconstruction of the erroneous dogma of Ogboru’s symbolism of Urhobo nationalism; built on partisan propaganda.  The said section of Urhobo press must shed their seeming toga of partisanship and lead the way in ensuring balanced enlightenment and political education, if they hope to continue enjoying public confidence. In their reporting, they should be strictly guided by their professional ethics, restrict themselves to objective presentations of facts; leaving the people to conclude.

However, it will appear that the natural course of political events in Nigeria has already relieved us of this deconstruction task, as evidenced by a recent declaration of the DPP national chairman, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, in Abuja of a portended alliance with the PDP. So, while the soul of the DPP has gone to APC with the late senator Ewherido, leaving its skeletal remains which seem fated to the PDP; with the Ghost slated for final rites.  

A particular weakness that must be addressed by this section of Urhobo press is the absence of editorial columns, which would represent the paper’s corporate positions & objective analysis of issues affecting Urhobo; as different from an almost exclusive coverage of views, expressed by particular partisan interests. And this is the surest way of dispelling the impression of partisanship. Then there would be no need for the excuse that they only publish materials received.

 MAXWELL OKIRIKPO

Ewherido: As Urhobos lose an uncommon gem

My vision rests on an ideology that is people-oriented, and it is to them that I shall devote my time, brain and brawn…This is just the second year in a sojourn of four years in the first instance. Only time it will take and everything good will get to all our people.”

The above remark was made by late Senator Akporokena Pius Ewherido on April 28, 2013, at the Urhobo Progressive Union Centre, Agbarho, Delta State, during his mid-term stewardship to his people at the Delta Central Senatorial District. The lawmaker had gathered his people who stood by him on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), an opposition party on whose back the late Ewherido rode to the Senate as the only elected DPP candidate in the upper legislative chamber, to roll out his achievements in less than two years in the Senate.

The Philosophy graduate of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and Law graduate of the University of Benin had delivered some dividends of democracy to his senatorial district and had gone to roll them out to his people, with a promise to do more.

To mention a few, Ewherido’s achievements revolved around more than 14 sponsored bills, many of which are on second reading at the Senate. He was said to have completed projects in education and infrastructure, among others. In two years, he had awarded over 200 scholarships to students from the senatorial district at various schools and had instituted the annual Urhobo language competition among youths which maiden edition held in December 2012. However, his intention to do more was cut short as he allegedly collapsed in his house in Abuja while receiving a phone call on April 30, 2013. There, the long and lofty dreams of Olorogun Ewherido, father of six lovely children, consummate lover of the downtrodden and exceptional lawmaker to do more for his people at other various capacities were aborted.

Born on May 4, 1963 in Ewu, Delta State to Joseph and Pauline Ewherido in an atmosphere of Catholicism, Pius Ewherido, the third male out of eight children who are all males, was described as courageous, forthright and single-minded in his 50-year sojourn on earth. He started his education at St Paul Primary School, Ughelli, rounded off his primary education at RCM Primary, Ozoro and headed for Notre Dame College also in Ozoro, Delta State for his secondary education. He did his youth service (NYSC ) at Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye before he left for Warri, where he engaged in audio-visual business. Unsatisfied with his academic feat, young Ewherido proceeded to the University of Benin to study Law and was thereafter called to the bar after Law School.

His political journey began in 1997 during the twilight of the Abacha era as he joined the United Nigeria Congress Party. In 1998, the budding politician took another bold step in search of political relevance as he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he contested in 1999 and won the Ughelli South Constituency election to the Delta State House of Assembly. He spent eight years in the house and, at a time, was deputy Speaker and later acting speaker for six months, a period which, till date, is still being referred to as memorable.

He was said to have moved over 40 motions that were adopted, besides sponsoring and co-sponsoring no fewer than eight bills. Little wonder then that at his sudden demise, there was an avalanche of encomiums from the nooks and crannies of the country, especially his colleagues and former colleagues at the Senate and state House of Assembly. To his widow, Doye, the demise of her only heartthrob, whom she called “Paye,” was not only unspeakable but a terrible blow. She described him as “courageous, fearless and a non-quitter, a blazing star, kind, compassionate and one never to run away from responsibility.” What would Doye miss about her husband, everything but mostly his warmth, love, vivacity, generosity, contentment and lowly lifestyle.

Oghenero is the first son of the deceased. “We are sad at your going away so suddenly. I will miss your jokes, laughter, smiles and the praise I get from you when I do something right,” the young disclosed but pledging solemnly “Don’t worry about us and Mum, we will not disgrace you; we will do all in our power so that you will be proud of us.”

At Ewherido’s Requiem Mass at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Warri, Delta State, it was, like the elder brother of the deceased, Reverend Father Tony Ovayero Ewherido observed, a celebration of a life full of great achievements and well spent. The church auditorium and premises were filled with families, supporters, colleagues and friends of the deceased from all walks of life. Eminent personalities like Senator David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekwremadu, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and his wife, Roli, Adams Oshiomhole, Victor Ochei, Festus Keyamo, Ovie Omo-Agege among others were in attendance. In their tributes, Senate President David Mark and Ekweremadu described the deceased as a gentleman, humble Nigerian, a distinguished representative of his people and legislative storehouse.

Expressing shock over the demise of Ewheredo, who was also gunning for the top seat at Asaba come 2015, Governor Uduaghan described him as a friend, political contemporary and fellow struggler wanting to serve Nigeria. “He was a young articulate, ebullient and dynamic politician with an uncompromising vision to impact society positively,’’ Uduaghan noted in his condolence letter to the Ewheridos.

Senator Pius Ewherido may have gone, but the dream, the footprints on the sand of time and the minds of the common man whom the resourceful senator represents will remain a reference point for a long time.

Written by  Ebenezer Adurokiya

Tribute To An Icon

The 18th century English Ballad, George Bernard Shaw wrote; ‘Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I get to hold for a moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before turning it over to future generations’.

A lot of creative ink has been spent in evaluating and sometimes comparing the existence of human beings on planet earth with the chemical bye-product called candle. Celebrated song writers and singers have held the world spell bound with timeless songs depicting the sojourn of man on earth as a candle in the wind. Thus, the most illustrious of such breath taking songs was the rendition by Sir Elton John, the English pop icon in honour of the deceased Lady Diana, Princess of Wales.

Talking about my Senator, P.A.E, Me Senator, the bones shall rise again, in the past is surreal, almost unbelievable.

God blessed him with many gifts. He was a hard worker and recognized his opportunities. He had an abundant gift of diligence. He was a remarkably urbane, cosmopolitan, public-spirited and new-age politician; he had a mind that was well attuned to the Winston Churchill dictum that “The price of greatness is responsibility”. He had a moderated view about life and he was far removed from the prevailing haughtiness and vacuous hedonism that rudely characterise our political firmament.

He had an uncommon zeal for touching lives as evident in the massive life-enhancing projects which he delivered to his constituency. His electrifying and magnetising aura gives smiles to faces, inspires hope and raises human dignity.

He had sincerity and integrity ingrained in his human nature, as such, he was a great man in line with Anatole France’s observation that “the first virtue of all great men is that they are sincere; they eradicate hypocrisy from their hearts.” As an epitome of simplicity, he admirably brings grace, simplicity and humility to bear on his endeavours, life and philanthropic works.

He had no supercilious air around him nor was he a slave to wealth; and as a man of deep-seated sense of purpose he continually seeks ways of advancing the common good and making life really good for the low members of the society in the tradition of progressive politics.

He had an incredible capacity for lifelong friendships that cut across age religion, tribe or race. He was focused and gave his all to whatever he set out to do and did not do many things at the same time. As a legislator he legislated to the highest professional standards. As a leader he set us on the path of truth, honesty, dignity, integrity and hard work. He was a friend with whom you could discuss anything under the sun and crack any joke. He loved jokes and a hearty laugh and forever told stories.

He lived life to the fullest and on his terms. Giving, and sharing, were religion to him. His time, his knowledge and his all, life to him was about sharing and he indeed shared. His presence, large heart, energy, legendary status belied his lithe frame.

As you take your place in the bosom of the Almighty whom you faithfully served in truth, in words and in deed, while on this mortal plane, continually plead for us, intercede for us with the Almighty and reconcile us to Him. Rest in Peace in Paradise for you have earned it. As you rest in Heaven, you live forever in our hearts and history that validates and vindicates your life.

Senator Pius Ewherido: Where Is The Uloho! By Sunny Awhefeada

SUNDAY 30th June did not begin as an ominous day. However, by the time the day drew its curtains, it had become ominous and tragic as it went with Senator Pius Ewherido, who until that black Sunday represented the Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

Senator Ewherido’s death is a devastating blow, which diminished all of humanity. Ewherido to his Urhobo people was akin to an only palm fruit that must not be lost in the fire. He was an Uloho (Iroko), which provided shelter and succor to all and sundry. To Deltans, he was a voice of courage with a regenerative vision. He carried with him a redemptive charisma for a people and state in search of new and alternative political possibilities. He was an apostle of a new value system.

Where now is Ewherido, who gave scholarship to over two hundred students? Where now is Ewherido, who gave jobs to the jobless? Where now is Ewherido who built roads and bridges, where the people had given up? Where now is Ewherido, who built schools and health centres in remote and almost forgotten parts of Urhoboland? Where now is Ewherido, who gave economic empowerment to two hundred women and numberless youth? Where now is Ewherido, who almost singlehandedly sponsored the project to get Urhobo language into WAEC/NECO examination syllabus? Where now is Ewherido, who brought light and water to places that had given up on electricity and pipe-borne water? Where now is Ewherido, who mourned with the bereaved and danced with celebrants? Where now is Ewherido, who bestrode Delta State like a colossus? Where now is Ewherido, who in less than two years in the Senate sponsored four Bills and over ten motions, a feat some twenty Senators could not achieve in twelve years?

Born fifty years ago as Pius Akporokena Ewherido, he was popularly called Gogorogo. He attended primary and secondary schools in the defunct Bendel State, before going to read Philosophy at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he finished as the best graduating student in his class. He later read Law at the University of Benin and was called to the Nigerian Bar. He burst on to the political stage in 1998 and for eight years he bestrode the Delta State Legislature like a colossus.

Senator Pius Ewherido was neither a run-off the mill politician, nor a political hustler. He never believed in the politics of the stomach. Ewherido’s politics was motivated by ideals and not hunger, greed and personal aggrandizement. He was until his last days a refined politician who saw politics as a means of getting power for the good of the people. He was first an Urhobo, but he had dreamt of a pan-Delta platform through which he could have launched the state onto the path of progress. When he made a go at the governorship in 2006, he came up with a development blueprint that awed everybody who cared to study it. While the other contenders were busy mouthing promises and devising schemes, Ewherido toiled for many nights trying to evolve a blueprint that would have been the equivalent of a Marshall Plan for Delta State.

The intrigues, which robbed him of the governorship ticket during the primary election have now become common knowledge. After that fiasco, he retreated with uncommon dignity to Ewu and went back to his business. He took everything with philosophical calmn. He read books, worked on his farm, took time to think and reconfigured his political future. His education in Philosophy came handy for him during this period. I remember spending many hours with him during which we discussed the politics of ancient Rome. At intervals he would dash into his well-stocked study and bring out one book after the other. We talked about the many troubles with Nigerian and the lackluster governance that became the lot of Delta State. He gave hints of attempts by the powers that be to woo him to the corridors of power and how he resisted each attempt. He talked about principles; he talked about a viable opposition platform and how the generality of Deltans will be disappointed were he to yield to the advances of those in power. He kept his cool and bid his time.

The opportune moment came with the October 2010 Supreme Court ruling, which ordered a re-run for the Delta State governorship election. An alliance between him and the leading opposition figure Chief Great Ogboru came to be. Ewherido proved to be a political game changer. He revived his intimidating political structures across the state and the result was the Ilalaja (pineapple revolution), which shook the Delta State to her very roots. Ewherido rode to the Senate on the crest of the Ilalaja wind of change. Although, a first timer in a Senate of political denizens, although he was a lone party Senator, Ewherido stood tall in tandem with his appellation gogorogo! Each time he spoke his voice and opinion were golden. He brought an uncommon intellectual insight into his legislative responsibilities while he was in the Senate. He was oratorical and spoke with the same courage the Roman Senators he studied in his Philosophy course spoke. He once told me that he painstakingly researched almost everything that came to the floor of the Senate.

It was not too long before the Urhobo people saw in him a redeemer figure. In a landscape full of wily, crafty and selfish politrickcians, Ewherido stood out to be counted as different. He soon became a beacon of hope and the Urhobo people and Deltans began investing their political hope in him. When he was first approached for the governorship race last year he did shrug it off. However, pressure upon pressure came and he yielded after he discovered that the party that he helped stabilized for a remarkable outing in two elections in 2011 had suddenly become hostile and cannot even guarantee him a return ticket to the Senate.

He was one politician who put the people above every other consideration. It was for this that he became an unparalleled mobiliser of people. The fact that his moniker, Gogogoro, is well acknowledged in every home in Delta State attests to his rating in the public space. He always thought of the people. His ultimate vision was pan-Deltan.

His passing shook the State, but the loss is more telling on his immediate constituents, the Urhobo people. Folks who are old enough to know say that the tremor and cold occasioned by Ewherido’s death were only comparable to those of Chiefs Mukoro Mowoe and Samuel Jereton Mariere in 1948 and 1971 respectively. The Urhobo nation will now have to brace up to the anxiety of political orphanage as her political wagon has plunged into a blind alley. The people are unsure of the present crop of politrickcians who are used to horse-trading.

However, as painful and as irreparable as the death of Ewherido is, the people should pray and be consoled that God will bring another who is greater than him and who will bring them succor. The gloom shall not be long. Senator Ewherido, unknowingly consoled the Urhobo people about his imminent passing on. On the 27th of April 2013, he stood before his constituents to render a report of his two-year sojourn in the Senate at Uvwiamughe-Agbarho. The event was attended by over twenty thousand people. He appealed to the celebratory crowd to join him in singing his favourite song: ‘‘Owan bruduu/ owawan ghogho/ fiki ri Jesu Olori oko/ Oke sua avwanre tu uleruru/ We ju udu owanwan toto’’. Translated into English the song reads: ‘‘Let not your heart be troubled/ You all should rejoice/ Because Jesus the Leader is in the boat/ He will lead us to the shore/ Let your heart be at rest.’’

Senator Ewherido did several encores and the crowd followed suit. Nobody had the inkling that he was giving his last address to the Urhobo people and telling them to remain strong and face the future without him with fortitude. He took his exit two months and three days later.

Senator Ewherido led a distinguished life. He was distinguished not because he was a Senator, but because of the choices he made in life. He distinguished himself as a university scholar endowed with a formidable intellect, a philanthropist, a legislator and a lover of humanity in which he had faith. He was a profound thinker, a master strategist and a great mixer. He was a charismatic leader and his followership was intimidating. He loved his wife and love of his life Doye, and their six children. Ewherido had consoled the Urhobo people and indeed all Deltans with the song referred to above. It is well. I am still unable to come to terms with his death, because we spoke on phone the Tuesday and Wednesday preceding his passage. And how difficult it is to say my farewell? I am shuddering with cold. Farewell Distinguished Senator Pius Akporokena Ewherido. Farewell Gogorogo…It is well. Akpokedefaooooo…..

Dr. Awhefeada teaches literature at the Delta State University, Abraka.

An Icon Takes a Bow

On Friday 19th of July, 2013, the body of a gentleman, legal luminary and a pioneer in many respects, Senator Akpor Pius Ewherido (KSM) would in Ewhu, in Delta State be laid to rest even as his spirit lives on. 

Born on May 4, 1963, into the family of Joseph Ewherido, a retired school principal and administrator and his wife, Paulina, Senator Ewherido is t

he third in a family of eight children, all males. His parents, who were and still are staunch Catholics, brought him up in the strict Christian teachings and Catholic tradition. He started his primary school at St. Paul’s, Ughelli and finished in RCM Primary School, Ozoro, all in Delta State. For his secondary education, he attended Notre Dame College, Ozoro also in Delta State. Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) where he studied philosophy and emerged the best graduating student in his class. After his youth service in Ogun State University, Ago Iwoye, he went into business and was a successful businessman in Warri, Delta State. After a while he enrolled in University of Benin to study law. He was subsequently called to the bar after law school.

Senator Ewherido cut his teeth in politics when he joined the United Nigeria Congress Party in 1997 during the Sani Abacha era. After the botched transition programme, he continued running his businesses. In 1998, he joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He contested and won the Ughelli South Constituency election to the Delta State House of Assembly in 1999. His colleagues, who noticed his leadership qualities in those early days, elected him deputy speaker which was the highest position zoned to Delta Central in the house. For over a year, he also acted as speaker of the house. His distinguished, vibrant, sterling and robust leadership are still reference points, almost six years after he left the house. He brought recognition, acceptance, dignity and prestige to the office of the deputy speaker and was perhaps the most visible state assembly deputy speaker in his time.

Senator Ewherido was not just a leader in the house; he was a lawmaker par excellent. In his eight years in the house he moved over 40 motions that were adopted and sponsored and co- sponsored eight bills among which are:

1) Law Prohibiting Harmful, Cruel and Discriminatory Practices Against Females and Widows
2) Prohibition of Female Circumcision and Genital Mutilation
3) A Law to Make Policy Provisions for Employment of Indigenes in Delta State and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.
4) A law to Make Provisions for the Establishment of Delta State Blood Transfusion Databank and Other Incidental matters, 2006
5) A law to Make Provisions for the Amendment of Legal officers (Harmonisation of salaries with magistrates) Law in 1996 and for other matters connected therewith
6) Employment of Legislative Aides, Employment Protection for Deltans in Junior Staff category in Establishments in Delta State, 1999.
7) A Law to Provide for the Grant of Bursary and Award of Scholarship to Students of Delta State Origin in Educational Institutions and Matters Connected thereto

In his time in the house, over 10 roads were constructed in his Ughelli South Constituency, over 20 towns and villages were provided with electricity, over 15 towns and villages were provided potable drinking water, a lot of primary and secondary schools were given face lift in the local government, among many other projects. It was mainly in appreciation of his performance that he was overwhelmingly voted back to the house in 2003. Other accolades also came in appreciation of his performance and contributions. His paternal people honoured him with the chieftaincy title of Otemunoruemu of Ewhu Kingdom, while his maternal kiths and kins bestowed on him the title of Adjerese of Effurun-Otor Kingdom. His maternal people in Enwhe, Isoko South also conferred on him the title of Aruore of Enwhe. Recently the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM Ovie R.L. Ogbon Ogoni Oghoro 1 on his 96th birthday and 25th coronation anniversary honoured him with title of Eje Urhobo Yovwi of Olomu Kingdom.

Ewherido contested the PDP governorship primaries in 2006. Dissatisfied with the conduct of the primaries, he withdrew from active politics in 2007 after his tenure in the house ended. In 2010 he switched camp to the Democratic People’s Party. He contested and won the DPP Delta Central Senatorial primaries before going to win the main election in 2011. Since 2011, even as a lone DPP senator, Ewherido has been giving the people of Delta Central vibrant and effective representation, drawing from his experience as a state legislator. In less than two years in the senate, he has sponsored four bills. They are:

1) A Bill for an Act to make provisions creating the offence of Corporate Manslaughter and matters incidental thereto.
2) A Bill for an Act to Establish the Welding Standards Regulatory Council of Nigeria.
3) A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of The Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for Devolution of more responsibilities to States And Public Sector Accountability (by the creation of the office of Auditor General of the Federation as distinct from The Office of The Auditor General of The Federal government of Nigeria).
4) A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to streamline the jurisdiction of the appellate courts for quick dispensation of justice and for matters incidental thereto.

Majority of the bills Ewherido has sponsored since his days in the state assembly are people- oriented which lends credence to his humanist disposition. Ewherido is a man of the people, a thoroughbred grass root politician. He has also co-sponsored 12 motions so far in the senate. He has attracted developmental projects, scholarships, job opportunities, training locally and abroad among others to his constituents and constituency.

Fondly called Gogorogo by friends and admirers, Ewherido is a man of enormous intelligence, great vision and penetrative thinking. He has by utterances and deeds proven his selflessness over the years as a leader. A lover of sports, he was into taekwondo, table tennis and lawn tennis in his younger days and he is still an ardent long tennis player and football follower. He is a Real Madrid fan of 23 years.

Like his father, Senator Ewherido is a devout Catholic, a family man to the core and a lover of children. A Knight of St. Mulumba, and married to Doye Ewherido (nee Bozimo) and they are blessed with six children.

As you take your place in the bosom of the Almighty whom you faithfully served in truth, in words and in deed, while on this mortal plane, continually plead for us, intercede for us with the Almighty and reconcile us to Him. Rest in Peace in Paradise for you have earned it. As you rest in Heaven, you live forever in our hearts and history that validates and vindicates your life.

RE: 2015: OGBORU, EWHERIDO BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF DPP

I crave your indulgence to clear the air on some misrepresentations of facts by Paul Osuyi in his report with the above title (The Sun, May 19, 2013). First, the Democratic People’s Party did not withdraw from the APC merger, as alleged by Osuyi. DPP is very much part of the ongoing merger. This is what happened. The National Executive Committee of DPP met on February 14, 2013 and a decision was reached for DPP to be part of the emerging All Progressive Congress. Present at that meeting were almost all the people that matter in DPP: Gen. Magashi(rtd.) Chairman, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, former chairman; Sir Olisaemeka Akamukale, Deputy National Chairman; Senator Pius Ewherido, only DPP senator in Nigeria; Chief Great Ogboru, DPP governorship candidate in the 2007and 2011 elections; Hon Austin Ogbaburhon, only DPP member of the House of Representative; Chief Tony Ezeagu, Chairman, Delta State DPP; Comrade Frank Kokori, Hon Julius Okpoko of Delta State House of Assembly among many others. Incidentally Ogboru and Ned Nwoko delivered the DPP NEC resolution to the APC secretariat. Subsequently a committee of 12, including Ogboru and Ewherido, was set up and given 21 days to report back to NEC.

It was at this stage that some prominent members, including Ogboru for personal reasons, became lukewarm towards the merger. But Senator Ewherido and others continued with the task the party’s NEC had given to the 12-man committee. After 43 days, rather than the 21 days within which the committee was to report back, with Gen. Magashi, the national Chairman, still incommunicado, then Deputy National Chairman, Olisaemeka Akamukali, called the party NEC meeting where the report of the committee was adopted. At that meeting too, a resolution was passed for Akamukali to become acting national chairman, since the chairman, Magashi, was nowhere to be found to perform his duties.

Thereafter, a Special Convention of DPP was called and it was held on Tuesday, 30th April 2013 in Abuja. The statutory notice was given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and an INEC team led by a National Commissioner came as observers and monitors. For a convention to hold there must be proper delegates from 22 states of the country. The Convention held on the April 30, 2013, was attended by delegates from 33 states. Among others, the Convention’s resolutions were:

1.     That the DPP be dissolved and merged with other Political Parties to form  the APC.

2.     That the Acting National Chairman, Sir Olisaemeka Akamukali, become the National Chairman for the remaining period of the Party’s existence, to oversee the proper and effective entrance of the Party into the APC.

How then can anybody claim Akamukale proclaimed himself chairman, when it was done at a special convention with INEC representatives in attendance? Or how can you describe the convention as kangaroo when an INEC commissioner led an INEC team to observe the convention? It was the same scenario in the ACN, ANPP and CPC convention. What now makes DPP’s a Kangaroo convention? Let those making noise organise a proper convention fulfilling all party and INEC guideline so that the world can see them.

Mr Tony Ezeagwu, erstwhile chairman Delta DPP is being economical with facts when he said that DPP’s application was rejected by APC. At no time was the application rejected. What happened was that APC told DPP to withdraw the application letter and expunge a particular portion that portrayed DPP as not being totally committed to the merger. This was done and DPP continued to participate in the merger talks. If we are to believe Ezeagwu what now prompted his group to constitute another merger committee and approach the same APC he claimed rejected DPP? Ezeagwu also said his group is not interested in an unregistered APC. So, why the sudden U-turn? APC is still unregistered. These people are hypocrites. Publicly they tell the whole world they are not part of APC, but secretly, they are begging for admission and concessions in APC!

Osuyi also said the leadership of DPP in Delta is unhappy with Senator Ewherido because he is romancing APC while Ogboru’s case against Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is still pending at the Supreme Court. The questions are: Was the case not pending at the Supreme when Ezeagwu, Ogboru and other members of their group voted for the APC merger at the DPP NEC meeting of February 14, 2013? Is it only the Delta State governorship election that is at stake in 2015? What about the elections to the state and federal legislatures? Is DPP all about Delta State only? What about other states of the federation?

Then they take their cheap propaganda further by claiming they are lukewarm towards the APC merger because of President Goodluck Jonathan’s ambition to go second term. They do not want to go against the interest of a fellow Niger Deltan. Didn’t they know about Jonathan’s second term ambition before they participated in the earlier merger talks. These people should tell the whole world what their problem is and stop creating avoidable crisis and confusion: they want automatic governorship ticket in 2015 and the emerging APC has refused to guarantee that.

One more point of correction, please: Ewherido did not ride on Ogboru’s back to the senate. Senator Ewherido had won elections to the Delta State House of Assembly twice before contesting the senatorial elections. He was at various time the number three and number four citizen of Delta State, as acting speaker and deputy speaker. He was a major political player in Delta State even before Ogboru came back from exile. This was why Ogboru invited him to join him in prosecuting the 2010 governorship rerun. It is instructive that until Ewherido joined DPP it had no single elected member; not even a councillor. He participated in building the party to its current height. Even if you deny him any credit, you cannot deny the fact that it was only after he joined DPP that the party produced a senator, a house of representative member who incidentally is from Ewherido’s federal constituency and a third of the state assembly members before the courts and decamping depleted the number. So while I do not deny the fact that Ogboru, as a party leader, contributed to Ewherido’s election to the senate, Ewherido did not ride on his back. Ogboru contributed to Ewherido’s election like other party leaders and members.

Finally, I do not think the current situation portends any danger for the opposition in Delta State. It is just a phase. Basically some grains will die and out of them will spring fort a formidable opposition capable of winning the 2015 elections in Delta State.

Justice Iyasere is the special Assistant to Senator Ewherido on Media

Two Years On - Distinguished Senator Akpor Pius Ewherido In Retrospect

As he said during the inauguration of the 7th senate and his swearing in as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at the Senate Chamber on Monday, June 6, 2011:

“By the grace of God I will redeem all my electioneering promises for my constituents by making sure I draw the federal government’s attention to the problems confronting my people”. He further promised jobless youths and graduates of his Constituency that he will immediately set in motion, a machinery to pool them and gradually secure job opportunities for them as the openings come. He also promised to draw the Federal Government’s attention to providing infrastructural facilities that would improve the standard of living of his Constituents. Reiterating his determination to also draw the Federal Government’s attention to the oil and gas wealth abundant in his constituency, he promised to make sure a responsible management of the resources accruable from oil and gas exploitation in the Niger Delta region is put in place to benefit majority of the people of the region.

With such strong words of commitment to the nation building of a New Nigeria, Senator Pius Ewherido has taken the challenge of leadership. Ewherido understands the task before him. It is without doubt a challenging task. The problems that he has to contend with are multi- farious and highly complex. In the senate of 109 members, he is a lone DPP senator. It takes gut and a level of proficiency and outspokenness for one to register a mark in such settings. Senator Ewherido, in the past two years has been able to give account of himself with an impressive and enviable performance record on the floor of the senate. 

Drawing from his wealth of experience as Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the Delta State House Assembly for 8 years, Senator Ewherido ranks among the best 10 senators in the present senate in terms of boldness, articulate contributions to debates on the floor of the Senate, mesmersizing texture of eloguence and the sublime grandeur of his logic and philosophical depth. His youthful and patriotic energy become handy whenever the opportunity arises for him to take the floor and make contributions to issues. Senator Ewherido, in the past two years has distinguished himself in this challenging environment as a man fully armed to stand for his people in the senate.

As a pioneer Deputy Speaker of the House in 1999 and was for over a year the acting Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly during which time he provided very distinguished, vibrant and robust leadership.

Senator Ewherido was not just a leader in the house; he was a lawmaker par excellent. In his eight years in the house he moved over 40 motions that were adopted and sponsored and co- sponsored eight bills among which are:

1) Law Prohibiting Harmful, Cruel and Discriminatory Practices Against Females and Widows
2) Prohibition of Female Circumcision and Genital Mutilation
3) A Law to Make Policy Provisions for Employment of Indigenes in Delta State and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.
4) A law to Make Provisions for the Establishment of Delta State Blood Transfusion Databank and Other Incidental matters, 2006
5) A law to Make Provisions for the Amendment of Legal officers (Harmonisation of salaries with magistrates) Law in 1996 and for other matters connected therewith
6) Employment of Legislative Aides, Employment Protection for Deltans in Junior Staff category in Establishments in Delta State, 1999.
7) A Law to Provide for the Grant of Bursary and Award of Scholarship to Students of Delta State Origin in Educational Institutions and Matters Connected thereto

In his time in the house, over 10 roads were constructed in his Ughelli South Constituency, over 20 towns and villages were provided with electricity, over 15 towns and villages were provided potable drinking water, a lot of primary and secondary schools were given face lift in the local government, among many other projects. It was mainly in appreciation of his performance that he was overwhelmingly voted back to the house in 2003. 

Ewherido contested the PDP governorship primaries in 2006. Dissatisfied with the conduct of the primaries, he withdrew from active politics in 2007 after his tenure in the house ended. In 2010 he switched camp to the Democratic People’s Party. He contested and won the DPP Delta Central Senatorial primaries before going to win the main election in 2011. Since 2011, even as a lone DPP senator, Ewherido has been giving the people of Delta Central vibrant and effective representation, drawing from his experience as a state legislator. In less than two years in the senate, he has sponsored four bills. They are:

1) A Bill for an Act to make provisions creating the offence of Corporate Manslaughter and matters incidental thereto.
2) A Bill for an Act to Establish the Welding Standards Regulatory Council of Nigeria.
3) A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of The Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for Devolution of more responsibilities to States And Public Sector Accountability (by the creation of the office of Auditor General of the Federation as distinct from The Office of The Auditor General of The Federal government of Nigeria).
4) A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to streamline the jurisdiction of the appellate courts for quick dispensation of justice and for matters incidental thereto.

Majority of the bills Ewherido has sponsored since his days in the state assembly are people- oriented which lends credence to his humanist disposition. Ewherido is a man of the people, a thoroughbred grassroot politician. He has also co-sponsored 12 motions so far in the senate. He has attracted developmental projects, scholarships, job opportunities, training locally and abroad among others

to his constituents and constituency.

A remarkably urbane, cosmopolitan, public-spirited and new-age politician, that has a mind that is well attuned to the Winston Churchill dictum that “The price of greatness is responsibility”. He has a moderated view about life and he is far removed from the prevailing haughtiness and vacuous hedonism that rudely characterise our political firmament.