Ese Gam Owe Re-Elected No 1 Urhobo Citizen Worldwide at UPU National Congress
By Ovie Edomi
Ese Gam Owe, Lawyer was on Friday December 5th, 2025 elected the number one Urhobo citizen. He got re-elected as President-General, UPU, the apex socio- cultural organization in Urhobo land.
He was elected by representatives of the 24 Urhobo kingdoms, members of the Forum of President Generals, members of Board of Trustee, delegates from all the branches of UPU in Nigeria and those in the Diaspora, as well as representatives of affiliate groups to UPU, representatives of Ewheya,elderly women, representatives of the Ighele, (youths), members of Council of Reps who were delegates and the candidates contesting for elective positions.
Shortly after the election of the Ese Gam- led new executives, Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori who was represented by Olorogun Sen. Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Governor Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the Urhobo collective aspirations geared towards the unity of the Urhobo Nation. He also advocated for the preservation of Urhobo Unity across the State.
Also, prominent businessman and founding leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, charged the Urhobo nation to embark on deep self-reflection and strategic reinvention to reclaim its rightful place in Nigeria’s socio-political, Emerhor, who was Chairman of the 2025 Urhobo Day and 94th Annual Congress of the Urhobo Progress Union, (UPU), noted that the present challenges confronting Urhobo nation require “only decisive action” to sufficiently address them. According to Emerhor, UPU celebration of the ‘ annual congress and Urhobo day remain a unifying platform that brings together Urhobos from all walks of life – home and abroad – to celebrate shared heritage, review collective progress, and chart new pathways for development. As such he noted that other than the name Urhobo, the mandate of the UPU is clearly Unity and Progress,” He equally, recalled how the UPU, founded in the 1930s and 1940s, weathered periods of division but has now regained its position as one united and resilient strategic Union. While addressing the Urhobo people, Emerhor, asked a rethoric question: “How much progress has the Urhobo nation made since the UPU’s founding fathers demise? Are we where we should be? Where does Urhobo stand in Delta, Bayelsa, Niger Delta and Nigeria? What is happening to our language? Are our youths truly prepared for leadership? Is Urhobo thinking strategically enough? He further expressed concern that despite being one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic nationalities, the Urhobo nation does not feature prominently in national discourse. He therefore urged all attendees especially today’s leaders to reflect on how the founding fathers of the UPU reacted decisively to the political and economic challenges of their era, and do the same.The Chairman of the Association of Urhobo Kings, “Ukoko ri.ivie,” His Royal Majesty, Sideso Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom in his address, also laid emphasis on unity and love for the progress of Urhobo Nation. Speaking on the significance of the UPU, he said it’s not just an association but a sacred gathering expected to pilot the affairs of the Urhobo Nation and preached against discord, undercurrent tension while advising all Urhobos to reject division and avoid the creation of a parallel structure within the UPU as the Urhobo Unity is non- negotiable.
In his welcome address, the newly elected President General of Urhobo Progress Union, Olorogun. Barr. Ese Gam Owe thanked everyone who voted and re-elected him as the President General of the Union, he expressed joy at the turn out of Urhobo sons and daughters during the election and noted that it showed how deeply they loved the Urhobo Nation. He further stated that the event was not only to commemorate a journey of ninety-four years, but also to renew the collective commitment to the Urhobo Nation and Nigeria at large, adding that the ceremony was also to honour those who have contributed to the growth of the Urhobo people and the Urhobo nation. He promised to work for a brighter future for the Urhobo people
Olorogun Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu who also served as the Chairman of the Urhobo Day Planning Committee in his address, welcomed everyone present to the 2025 UPU World Congress, noting that it’s a historic gathering that marked an important election year in the life of the Union, adding that the theme of the year’s event, “Awakening Urhobo Spirit for Unity, Progress and Sustainable Development” directly speaks to the socio- economic realities confronting the Urhobo Nation and the opportunities before them.
It would be recalled that the UPU is in the same ranking with Afenifere, Ohaneze and Arewa. The 94 years old organization is next to South Africa’s Action Congress. Before the election held on December 5th, at a meeting of branch Presidents of UPU, the apex Urhobo socio- cultural association of all Urhobo sons and daughters, the fifth ethnic tribe in Nigeria, the branch Presidents of UPU unanimously endorsed the candidature of Olorogun Barrister Ese Gam Owe and members of his executive for a second tenure. The group of the UPU branch Presidents hinged their choice, on the fact that the Ese Gam Owe-led UPU, understands the workings and dynamics of the Urhobo Progress Union and has over the years shown determined effort to address some of the challenges facing the Urhobo people and the 24 kingdoms.
True to the expectation of the UPU branch Presidents, Olorogun. Barr. Gam Ese Owe polled a total of 432 votes against his opponent, Simeon Owhofa, who scored 170 votes. Other members of the previous leadership of the UPU who got re-elected into their various Executive positions were Chief Isaac Itebu, First Deputy President General; Elder Chief Abel Opuidi, second Deputy President General; Hon. Chief Princess Josephine Oduaran, Assistant. National Publicity Secretary; Barr. David. Akporukiamu Esiekpe, National Secretary General, Hon Chief Eunice Okoh, National Treasurer and Olorogun Dr Samson Gordons Okiemote, Assistant National Financial Secretary. Others are: Barrister Andrew Ovuefebaye Ubido, Chief Dr Ogheneovo Atiti, National Auditor, Chief Simon Asite, National, Financial Secretary and others
Present at the annual event that lasted three days were Distinguished Sen. Ede Dafinone; Hon. Ejiroghene Francis Waive; Olorogun and Olorogun Mrs. John Oguma; Olorogun Sen. Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Chief Christian Onogba; Chief. Hon. Solomon Ighrakpata; Olorogun Vincent Oyibode, Chairman Udu Local Government Council; Chief. Hon. Jairo Egbo, Chairman, Ughelli North Local Government Council; Bishop Sam Jehwe, Chief Dr Captain Anthony Onoharigho, including other notable sons and daughters of Urhobo Nation as well as many Royal Fathers from various Urhobo Kingdoms including Royal Majesty, Sideso Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Chairman of the Association of Urhobo Kings.
The President-General, Ese Gam Owe hails from Eku, Ethiope East Local Government, Delta State. He has served as President-General of Eku town and has remained a successful lawyer, helping many young and elderly people to stand on their feet.