Urhobo Youth Leadership Demands Urgent Ethnic Reconciliation With Former Delta Governor James Ibori To Restore Unity

The JANDY Urhobo Chapter calls for unity and reconciliation with James Ibori to address the leadership crisis within the Urhobo Progress Union.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 9:50 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Independent

A Strategic Call For Ethnic Unity And Leadership Stability

The Urhobo Nation Chapter of the Joint Association of Niger Delta Ethnic Youths, led by President Mark Ikpuri, has formally requested that the Urhobo people pursue a path of reconciliation with former Delta State Governor James Onanefe Ibori. In a public statement, the youth organization expressed profound concern regarding the current trajectory of the Urhobo nation, suggesting that the community is suffering from a lack of cohesive leadership. According to Ikpuri, the Urhobo people must consolidate their political and social influence under a singular figure to navigate current regional challenges.

The Institutional Erosion Of The Urhobo Progress Union

Central to this demand is the perceived decline of the Urhobo Progress Union, an organization that once served as the primary cultural and administrative pillar for the ethnic group. The youth association highlighted recent electoral disputes and internal leadership crises within the union as evidence that the body is losing its historical relevance and moral authority. According to the group, the union has transitioned from a cultural guardian into a political battleground, which has significantly weakened its original mandate to promote development and collective security for its members.

Historical Governance As A Blueprint For Modern Restoration

In reframing the narrative around the former governor, the statement draws a sharp contrast between the current instability and the conditions present during the Ibori administration. The youth leadership noted that during his tenure, the Urhobo Progress Union maintained a level of dignity and structural integrity that prevented external political interference. According to the association, this period was characterized by a stable cultural environment that allowed the Urhobo nation to pursue a unified agenda, a standard they argue has been lost in the years following his departure from office.