Okpe Union Issues 14-Point Mandate for 2027 Support, Rejects "Blind Partisanship" in Favor of Ethnic Development

Okpe Union Worldwide vows to support only 2027 candidates who commit to its 14-point agenda, focusing on language rights, scholarship funds, and infrastructure.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 4:26 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Independent Nigeria

A Shift from Partisan Loyalty to Ethnic Advocacy

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union Worldwide has signaled a significant departure from traditional political affiliations ahead of the 2027 election cycle. In a formal statement released on Tuesday, the Union cautioned Okpe nationals against the "blind support" of political parties that has characterized the region since 1999. According to Union leaders, this lack of critical assessment has resulted in the underdevelopment of the Okpe Kingdom despite its strategic importance. The Union’s new directive mandates that voters prioritize individual candidate suitability and adherence to ethnic developmental goals over party manifestos, effectively positioning the Okpe people as a unified bargaining bloc in state and national politics.

The 14-Point Okpe Nation Agenda

Central to the Union’s conditions is a comprehensive 14-point agenda derived from the 2006 Okpe World Conference and endorsed by HRM Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. Key demands include the formal preservation of the Okpe language through its mandatory teaching in primary and secondary schools and the restoration of news broadcasts in the native tongue on state media. Furthermore, the Union is calling for a structural redistribution of wealth, specifically requesting that 10% of donations from oil firms operating in Sapele and Okpe Local Government Councils be diverted into a dedicated Okpe Scholarship Fund managed by an independent Board of Trustees.

Economic Diversification and Foreign Direct Investment

Beyond cultural preservation, the Union’s roadmap for 2027 emphasizes industrial and educational upgrades. A primary requirement is the conversion of Sapele Technical College into a fully functional polytechnic to address the vocational needs of the youth. To stimulate the local economy, the Union advocates for the "twinning" of Okpe towns with major cities in Europe and North America, a strategy intended to attract foreign direct investment. According to Prof. Igho Natufe, President General of the Union, these initiatives are designed to foster an "Okpe Renaissance" that moves the kingdom toward economic self-sufficiency and modern infrastructure.