Arthur Ekpekpo: Time For UPU, Kingdom PGs To Act

By Moses Darah
June 11, 2025

The pioneering leaders and financiers of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), including Omorohwovo Okoro, Mukoro Mowoe, T.E.A. Salubi, J.A. Obahor, G.K. Ezewu, and J.A. Okpodu among others, left an indelible mark of selfless dedication to championing the Urhobo cause. They promoted unity, progress, and development through their selfless acts. Even in challenging times, the UPU’s leaders and philanthropists stood firm in defending the interests, rights, and heritage of the Urhobo people. This was because of their unwavering commitment and dedication to the well-being of the people of Urhobo in particular, and the world at large.

The UPU’s drive for greatness led them to sponsor M.G. Ejaife and E.N. Igho’s studies abroad. Ejaife had already excelled at Fourah Bay College and was set to further his education in England, while Igho was making strides at Cambridge University. Upon their return, they would become key educators in the Urhobo College, Effurun, helping to shape the future of the Urhobo nation.

The Urhobo people’s passion for education has yielded impressive results, producing a notable number of distinguished professionals, including doctors, surgeons, lawyers, judges, professors, researchers, administrators, linguists, technologists, engineers and clergy, who have made significant contributions to their fields and the Urhobo nation.

In his song, Chief Ogute Ottan celebrates the unbreakable bond between Michael Ibru and T.E.A. Salubi, extolling their enduring friendship as a beacon of hope and inspiration for a brighter future for the Urhobo people. Below are some translated lines from the song, “Ibru and Salubi stood firmly by our side. The fall of ‘okpan’ can never bring misfortune. When it falls face-down, it seals its mouth; when it falls face-up, it brings wealth, children, and good health. If you infests me with ‘ishu’, I will repay you with gonorrhea. A king serves the ancestors with what he possesses. If every child were like Ibru and Salubi, people would gladly desire many more children. No one adorns their hair more finely than the Alufa worshippers.”

In the landmark case involving Chief Daniel Okumagba of Okere Warri and the Irhobo people, as referenced in Chief Ogute Ottan’s song, the Urhobo people demonstrated unwavering solidarity and ultimately emerged victorious at the Supreme Court. The song’s bold challenge to the Irhobo people to take the appeal further to ‘Erivwin court’ only underscored the Urhobo’s confidence in their stance.

But today, a professor of solid-state physics in the Department of Physics, Delta State University, Abraka, and President General of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, has been arrested by the army and detained without trial for over one year. The current UPU leadership led by Olorogun (Barr) Ese Gam Owe and the President Generals of the other 23 Kingdoms have not deemed it necessary to mobilise distinguished Urhobo lawyers to sue the army over the prolonged detention of one of their own (Prof. Ekpekpo) without trial. This actually raises serious concerns about justice, human rights, and the rule of law in Nigeria. It equally fails to reflect the spirit of unity embodied in the Urhobo anthem, ‘Urhobo kokore o gbare.’

It is on record that Gen David Ejoor’s intervention as Chief of Army Staff saved the UPU from being blacklisted years back. The question is, are there still other Ejoors that could similarly use their connections to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to help Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo in his current situation?