The Okpe Union Worldwide has declared that it will only support candidates in the 2027 general elections who commit to the implementation of its 14 point Okpe Nation Agenda, warning against continued blind allegiance to political parties.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Executive Council NEC, the Union stressed that development in Okpe Kingdom would remain elusive unless voters begin to prioritize competence and commitment over party loyalty.
The statement, jointly signed by President General, Igho Natufe, and National Publicity Secretary, Victor Oruno, urged Okpe nationals to critically assess all candidates across party lines before casting their votes.
“We call on all Okpe nationals to vote only for candidates that 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 read.
The Union advised eligible voters to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards PVCs, emphasizing the need for active participation in the democratic process to reclaim and reposition Okpe land for growth.
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, the group cautioned against vote buying tactics, noting that politicians would likely resort to inducements such as food items and clothing to sway voters. It, however, encouraged the people to remain focused on competence, integrity, and track records.
“This is an opportunity for critically minded Okpe nationals to assess all prospective candidates, not through the prism of political affiliations, but on the basis of individual suitability,” the Union stated.
The group said it would only endorse candidates, whether for the presidency, governorship, National Assembly, or State Assembly, who demonstrate clear commitment to the Okpe developmental blueprint.
Key components of the agenda include the preservation and promotion of Okpe identity, revival of the Okpe language through its inclusion in school curricula, and the restoration of Okpe language broadcasts on state media.
Other priorities outlined by the Union include the establishment of postgraduate scholarship schemes, allocation of 10 percent of oil related revenues from Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas to an Okpe Scholarship Fund, and the creation of a Board of Trustees to manage the fund.
The agenda also calls for the conversion of Sapele Technical College into a polytechnic, increased political representation of Okpe people, periodic engagement between elected leaders and constituents, and the establishment of an Okpe Leaders Forum.
Additionally, the Union advocated for the empowerment of women, the creation of an Okpe Monitoring Board, and the twinning of Okpe towns with cities in Europe and North America to attract foreign investment.
Tracing the origin of the Okpe Nation Agenda, the Union noted that it emerged from the communiqué of the Okpe World Conference held in Sapele in November 2006, organized by Okpe Voice, and later endorsed by traditional authorities, including Orhue I.
The Union reiterated its commitment to driving the renaissance of Okpe identity and ensuring that only candidates aligned with its vision receive support in 2027, a development that could influence backing for key political figures such as Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Sheriff Oborevwori.
