The Okpe Union has said it will only support candidates in the 2027 general elections who align with its 14-point Okpe Nation Agenda, warning against continued blind support for political parties and candidates.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Executive Council (NEC), the Union stressed that sustained underdevelopment in Okpe Kingdom is largely due to uncritical political support since 1999.
“We call on all Okpe nationals to vote only for candidates who subscribe to the 14-point Okpe Nation Agenda. Blind support for political parties and candidates since 1999 has failed Okpe Nation in all indices of growth and development,” the statement said.
The Union also urged eligible voters to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), emphasizing the need for active political participation to drive development.
“It is time to reclaim Okpe Nation for the growth and development of Okpe land,” it added.
The statement, signed by President General, Prof. Igho Natufe, and National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Victor Oruno, noted that the Union would endorse only candidates committed to implementing the agenda.
It called on Okpe people to critically assess all aspirants for the presidency, vice presidency, governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly positions across political parties ahead of the 2027 polls.
“As we approach another election cycle, politicians will be visiting communities with inducements to buy votes. Okpe nationals must seize this opportunity to assess candidates based on competence and suitability, not party affiliation,” the Union stated.
Highlighting key priorities, the Union identified the preservation of Okpe identity and language as central to its agenda. It raised concerns over the possible extinction of the Okpe language and advocated its inclusion in primary and secondary school curricula, as well as the restoration of Okpe language broadcasts on state-owned media.
Other priorities include the establishment of postgraduate scholarship schemes, allocation of 10 per cent of oil company contributions to Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas for an Okpe Scholarship Fund, and the creation of a Board of Trustees to manage the fund.
The Union traced the Okpe Nation Agenda to resolutions from the Okpe World Conference held in Sapele in November 2006, which affirmed the identity of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality.
Additional proposals outlined by the Union include the upgrade of Sapele Technical College to a polytechnic, increased Okpe participation in state and national politics, regular engagement between elected leaders and the people, the creation of an Okpe Leaders Forum, empowerment of women, and the establishment of a monitoring board.
It also advocated the twinning of Okpe towns with cities in Europe and North America as a strategy to attract foreign direct investment to the area.
