By Jon Egie, Ughelli
Immediate past chairman of Ughelli North LGC, Hon Kenneth Kesiena Ibru has been endorsed to contest the Ughelli Constituency 1, seat in 2023 Delta State House of Assembly election.
The endorsement was given by Orogun Unity Group, OUG, shortly after it’s meeting held on Wednesday, March 16, in Ughelli.
OUG is the most influential political pressure group in Orogun clan, which controls the largest number of votes in the Constituency that comprises of Orogun, Agbarha, Ogor and Evwreni clans.
Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Hon Joe Onakpoma who is chairman of the group said the endorsement of Ibru was an expression of the group’s principle of honouring those who honour them.
According to him, the group had extended hand of fellowship to all persons aspiring for election into various political offices but only KK Ibru has so far honoured the invitation and given recognition to the group.
Onakpoma called on other stakeholders and political heavyweights in the Constituency to support the aspiration of Hon KK Ibru.
OUG is renowned for it’s sweeping grassroots mobilization of votes for those it endorsed in previous elections.
The group endorsed and supported Hon KK Ibru and Hon Samuel Mariere in 2015 and 2019 and both won their elections as council chairman and state legislator for two terms each.
If they both get their party tickets for the 2023 elections, Ibru would meet either APC’s Barr Matthew Omonade or Barr Charles Oniyere who is the incubent occupant of the seat at the polls.
Also if Mariere gets the PDP ticket he would meet Rev Francis Waive of the APC at the polls. OUG is yet to make a statement on the current aspiration of Hon Samuel Mariere for election into the Ughelli/Udu federal house of representatives seat.
Others who had benefitted from OUG endorsement were: Hon Friday Onodjae, George Ojefia who enjoyed the Constituency seat in the DTHA at their various times and Ms Grace Odili who was elected as chairman of Ughelli North LGC.
Present at the meeting were: Hon Joe Onakpoma, Comrade Akpude Gabriel, Ogheneruemu Okoro, Beatrice Idiesa, Comrade Justice Orise; Chairman, Vice chairman, Secretary, Woman leader, Pub Sec respectively, with two members, Lucky Owhowhiabremre and Bishop Ojakovo.