Urhobo HOSTCOM youths defend Oborevwori, DESOPADEC

The Urhobo Youth Wing of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) has dismissed recent calls by activist, Mr. Eshanekpe Israel, popularly known as “Mayor” Akpodoro, demanding that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) render an account of their stewardship.

In a statement signed by its leader, Comrade Sweet Otiotio, and issued in Warri, the youths described Akpodoro’s comments as “baseless, misleading and tainted with questionable motives.” They insisted that both the Oborevwori-led government and the DESOPADEC board, chaired by Chief John Nani, have been transparent in managing resources meant for host communities.

The group further accused Akpodoro of impersonation, alleging that he parades himself with titles never conferred on him by the Urhobo people.

“At no time did the Urhobo nation come together to crown Akpodoro as a Mayor, nor has he ever been addressed legitimately as ‘His Excellency.’ These are false, self-imposed titles, and he should desist from impersonating both political and traditional offices he does not hold,” the statement read.

Otiotio also alleged that Akpodoro must first explain his role in the handling of Amnesty funds, which he claimed had been mismanaged. According to him, several ex-agitators have repeatedly complained about unpaid stipends despite funds being released through commercial banks.

“Anybody that goes to equity must come with clean hands. The EFCC should investigate and verify the Amnesty monies paid to Akpodoro and double-check his dealings with the banks,” Otiotio added.

The youths stressed that accountability questions around DESOPADEC are within the purview of host communities, not individuals claiming moral authority.

They however commended Governor Oborevwori and the commission for what they described as visible developmental projects across oil-bearing communities, citing road construction, school renovation, empowerment programmes and healthcare projects as evidence of effective use of funds.

“To the best of our knowledge, the state government and the DESOPADEC board are doing well with the oil money meant for host communities. There are visible results across Urhobo land and beyond,” the group noted.

Supporting Otiotio’s stance, the secretary of the Urhobo HOSTCOM Youth Wing, Happy Gbeke, said the group stands firmly behind the governor and DESOPADEC.

“Indeed, the state government and DESOPADEC are performing creditably. We have monitored developments and can boldly say the funds are not being mismanaged but are touching lives in host communities,” he said.

The youths urged Akpodoro to stop misleading the public with “self-imposed titles and unverified claims,” warning that the Urhobo people have never recognised him as a Mayor or Excellency.