OKPE UNION STATEMENT ON POLITICAL PARTICIPATION BY THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) OF THE OKPE UNION (WORLDWIDE)
As we enter the season of another election cycle in Nigeria, we expect politicians to be flocking town and village halls distributing cups of rice, beans, wrappers, etc to buy the votes of Nigerians, including Okpe nationals. This is an opportunity for critically minded Okpe nationals to assess all prospective candidates – for the presidency, vice presidency, governorship, the National Assembly, and the State Assembly – of all political parties before casting their votes in 2027. Therefore, we call on Okpe nationals to begin the process of assessing the performances of current incumbents and prospective candidates of all political parties not through the prism of political affiliations, but on the basis of individual candidate’s suitability.
Promoting the Okpe Nation Agenda
The Okpe Nation Agenda derives from the communiqué of the Okpe World Conference held in Sapele on November 17 – 19, 2006 organized by the OKPE VOICE. It gave rise to the renaissance of Okpe identity as an ethnic nationality. In fact, it also derives from the coronation brochure of HRM Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, which recognized Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. The Okpe Nation Agenda, as expressed in the communiqué of the 1st Okpe World Conference, was approved by HRM Orhue l and his Palace Chiefs on November 20, 2006 at a meeting with the delegates of OKPE VOICE, which included the leaders of the Okpe Union Nigeria, Okpe Union of North America, and the Okpe Union UK Branch. The communiqué identified several key elements that Okpe must address in order to facilitate the re-birth of the Okpe Nation. These included, inter alia:
The development and sustenance of an Okpe identity as a distinct ethnic nationality; concern over the threat of extinction posed to Okpe language; the need to teach Okpe language in all primary and secondary schools in Okpeland; the restoration of Okpe language news broadcasts on the State owned Television and Radio stations; post graduate scholarship fund; the ploughing of ten percent of funds accruing from oil firms’ donations to Sapele and Okpe local government councils into an Okpe Scholarship Fund; the establishment of a Board of Trustees to manage the scholarship fund; the conversion of the Sapele Technical College to a polytechnic; involvement of Okpe in state and national politics; periodic meetings between elected Okpe leaders and the Okpe people; the establishment of an Okpe Leaders’ Forum or Leaders of Thought; empowerment of Okpe women; establishment of an Okpe Monitoring Board; and the twinning of Okpe towns with major towns and cities in Europe and North America as a way of attracting foreign direct investment to Okpeland.
As the mouth-piece of Okpe Nation, it is the responsibility of the Okpe Union to work towards the realization of the Okpe Nation Agenda outlined in the 14 Points above. This Statement directs us on how to approach this Historical responsibility as we march towards the 2027 elections.
Okpe Union and positive Neutralism
Okpe Union, like other responsible ethnic organizations, will only endorse candidates for elective offices who subscribe to the 14 Points Okpe Nation Agenda referenced above. Thus, while Okpe Union is not affiliated with any political party, we remain resolute in our support and endorsement of candidates who are committed to the 14 Points Okpe Na on Agenda. We shall embark on an intensive voter’s education campaign across Okpe Nation, so as to sensitize Okpe nationals on this existential matter ahead of the 2027 elections.
Identifying Okpe Agenda Friendly Candidates
We shall identify Okpe candidates seeking to represent Okpe Na on at any level (local, state, and federal), who are committed to the actualization of the 14 Points Okpe Na on Agenda, irrespective of their political affiliations. Okpe Union shall contact all such candidates to ascertain their positions on the 14 Points Okpe Na on Agenda, before advising Okpe nationals on whom to vote for.
Concluding Remarks
We call on all Okpe nationals to vote for only candidates that subscribe to the 14 Points Okpe Nation Agenda. Blind support for political parties/candidates since 1999 has failed Okpe Nation in all indices of growth and development. It is time to reclaim Okpe Nation for the growth and development of Okpeland. We therefore call on Okpe nationals to register and obtain their permanent Voter’s card (PVC) as soon as possible.
Long Live the Okpe Union!
Long Live the Orodje of Okpe!
Long Live the Okpe Na on!
Prof. O. Igho Natufe
President General
Okpe Union (World Wide)
Barrister Victor Oruno
National Publicity Secretary
Okpe Union (World Wide)