The Forum of Urhobo Traditional Rulers, Ukoko R’Ivie R’Urhobo, has adopted Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Chief Sheriff Francis Orhovwedor Oborevwori, as the sole candidate of the Urhobo Nation for the 2027 governorship election, declaring that no other Urhobo governorship aspirant will be received or given royal blessings by traditional rulers in Urhobo land.
The monarchs said the decision was taken in the interest of the unity, peace and progress of the Urhobo Nation, following what they described as growing political tension, hostility and thuggery across Urhobo communities ahead of the 2027 election.
The declaration was made on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during a press briefing at the Ovie of Uvwie Palace, Effurun, Delta State, where traditional rulers representing the Urhobo kingdoms addressed journalists on the political atmosphere in the state.
Reading the statement, HRM Dr. Monday Obukohwo Whiskey, Udurhie I, JP, Ph.D., Ovie of the Great Idjerhe Kingdom and Spokesman, Ukoko R’Ivie R’Urhobo, said the traditional rulers, as custodians of the people’s culture and heritage, had a responsibility to protect the peace and unity of the Urhobo Nation.
Whiskey said the monarchs remained strictly apolitical but could not keep silent when political developments threatened the security, wellbeing and social harmony of their people. He said the rising political tension required responsible intervention by royal fathers to prevent political ambitions from creating division among Urhobo sons and daughters.
“Politics should be a peaceful civic engagement, not a do-or-die affair,” Whiskey said, adding that the forum had therefore convened a consultative meeting with Urhobo governorship candidates across various political parties to counsel them on peace, restraint and brotherhood.
He said the forum was, however, surprised that the invitation was not honoured by the candidates as expected, with only one candidate attending the meeting. Despite this, the traditional rulers proceeded with their deliberations and resolved to advise all Urhobo sons contesting the governorship to set aside their individual ambitions and rally behind the incumbent governor.
The forum said every Urhobo son and daughter had the constitutional right to aspire to the highest political offices, but maintained that the unity of the Urhobo Nation was “sacrosanct and non-negotiable.” It argued that any attempt to promote division, rivalry and political thuggery within Urhobo land would be a disservice to the collective interest of the people.
Announcing the decision, the monarchs said: “We, the Traditional Rulers of Urhobo Nation, have adopted the Executive Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Chief Sheriff Francis Orhovwedor Oborevwori, as the sole candidate of Urhobo Nation for the 2027 Governorship Election for his unprecedented development across Delta State.” They subsequently called on Urhobo sons and daughters to vote massively for him.
The traditional rulers said their decision was also informed by their observation that Delta South and Delta North, when seeking to produce the governor, had tended to unite behind their own candidates rather than unnecessarily dividing their votes. They therefore urged the Urhobo Nation to remain united and support its own candidate whenever it had the opportunity to produce the governor.
Chairman of the forum and Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Dr. Emmanuel E. Sideso, Abe 1, JP, OON, confirmed that the decision extended to the reception of other governorship aspirants. Responding to a journalist’s question, he said receiving another candidate for the same office after the forum had adopted Oborevwori would amount to contradicting its position. “Our decision is that we have one candidate and that is who we will rally around. We will not receive any other one,” he said.
The chairman explained that the forum’s position was limited to the governorship and that decisions concerning other elective positions, including senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly contests, would be communicated when the traditional rulers reached a position on them. He said the arguments and interests surrounding those positions would be properly considered before any decision was announced.
The forum urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and appealed to Urhobo youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence. The statement was signed by HRM Dr. Emmanuel E. Sideso, Abe 1, JP, OON, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom and Chairman, Ukoko R’Ivie R’Urhobo Nation, and HRM Amb/Dr. Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle, Ovie of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom and Secretary, Ukoko R’Ivie R’Urhobo Nation, with the monarchs stressing that the collective decision was intended to protect the unity, peace and progress of the Urhobo Nation.