PROF NATUFE: URHOBO IS NOT OKPE'S PROBLEM

-By Zik Gbemre 

PROF NATUFE: URHOBO IS NOT OKPE'S PROBLEM 

I just read Itsekiri leaning Okpe Union President General, Prof Omajuwa Igho Natufe, acknowledged inadvertently that he is on a mission with ulterior, sinister motive to embarrass Urhobo nation in leading the campaign to excise Okpe Kingdom from Urhobo.

As many reactions had pointed on my earlier reflection on 'Why Okpe Kingdom & UPU Must Beware Of Prof Natufe's Divisive Campaign To Tear Urhobo Apart', Urhobo nation is not Okpe's problem and it's certainly not Urhobo's problem if Okpe chooses to cheer Natufe to lead their ridiculous agitation to deny their Urhobo allegiance.

My displeasure over Natufe and cheerleaders malicious agitation to severe Okpe Kingdom from Urhobo nation has nothing to do with questioning their rights to toe that path if they so wish.

My anger is with Natufe and cohorts' unjustifiable attempt to play Okpe as the victim being marginalised in government power, resources and opportunities sharing among Urhobo kingdoms. How tolerable is that audacity, to claim Okpe is being denied fair share of opportunities to Urhoboland.

Natufe shamelessly made reference to Okpe not getting enough from DESOPADEC opportunities due Urhobo, deliberately oblivious of the fact that six years ago when Urhobo's turn to take Chairmanship of DESOPADEC was ceded to Okpe, it was an Itsekiri man, Michael Diden (Ejele), that Okpe favoured to occupy the office. And a most unfit, uninformed choice at that, in an Okpe Kingdom full of technocrats,lawyers,medical doctors,engineers,professors,generals and other notable personalities established in various leadership and business callings.

This was Ejele (mockingly Mr Approved for inability to express self) who before then had served as Councilor, then Chairman of Warri North LG. He went to become DESOPADEC Commissioner representing Iteskiri nation, then member representing Warri North Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly. 

That was who Natufe's Okpe chose as DESOPADEC Chairman for a slot meant for Urhobo. It was not the only time Okpe would embarrass Urhobo by projecting strangers to represent Urhobo. What about Chief Esiso's chairmanship of Delta state PDP. Same Sapele (Okpe) people who projected him came up to disclose later that he wasn't Okpe-Urhobo and not supposed to take the office.

To defend the indefensible claim that Okpe is not part and parcel of Urhobo, Natufe relied on the Whiteman's distortion of realities to tell the Urhobo history.

The Whiteman Natufe relies on to back his malicious mission is same Whiteman who claimed Mongo Park discovered River Niger where he met aborigines living and fishing on the River he so discovered. That the white imperialists were first to document their wishful disinformation didn't mean Mungo Park discovered any River Niger.

But assuming without conceding to his distortion of history in desperation to prove Okpe is not Urhobo, how come Natufe accepted the office of Vice President of the Urhobo Historical Society (UHS) as an Okpe man when he is so convinced Okpe is not Urhobo and losing under allegiance to Urhobo.

Not to forget recalling that Natufe shamed self out of UHS for disparaging remarks against some Urhobo leaders back in 2004.

Above all sentiments, Natufe has vindicated Senator Adams Oshiomhole's conclusion recently on the floor of the senate that being a professor doesn't confer integrity and self esteem on people, going by the puerile timing of Okpe Union's resurrection of the campaign to leave Urhobo.

Sheriff Oborevwori, after being Speaker of Delta Assembly for 8 rears, is current governor of Delta state. Senator Ede Dafinone is current Senator representing Urhobo nation (Delta Central), his father was once most respected Senate Leader. These Okpe sons all made these offices as Urhobo people with the support of the entire Urhobo. How come Okpe is playing the victim in Urhobo?

That is why it is also unhealthy on the part of Governor Oborevwori and Senator Dafinone to chose silence on this rascality by Natufe and co, blinded to the consequences on their political careers.

Natufe also tried to rope in the Orodje of Okpe as supporting this malicious quest to excise Okpe from Urhobo by referring to a commentaries in which the Orodje Of Okpe also affirmed Okpe as an ethnic nationality independent of Urhobo. 

I don't know how sincere such is, but as current Chairman of Delta State Traditional Council as an Urhobo monarch. It's double standard to have the Orodje Of Okpe speaking through both sides of his mouth.

Orerokpe is a pure Urhobo language meaning, Town of Okpe which Natufe tried to distort. Gbemre family name is Ughievwen-Urhobo language as Natufe's family name is Okpe- Urhobo language as well.

Urhobo is not forcing Okpe as a kingdom in Urhoboland. Okpe is Urhobo, but if they want to separate from Urhobo as the Isoko did, they are free to go their separate ways. 

It is left for Okpe people to remain a kingdom in Urhoboland or to separate from Urhobo. The choice is entirely theirs. 'E no affect anybody'

Zik Gbemre
June 24,2025

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