By Matthias Ogbagah
UGHELLI – The Chief Staff to Ughelli North local area and a political leader in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Olorogun Elvis Oharisi, Sunday, said the people of the Local Government Area had vehemently rejected former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, hence the people shunned the One Million-Man March organized by the former Deputy President of the Senate.
In a swift reaction, a stalwart of APC and a loyalist of Ovie Omo-Agege, Hon. Henry Ophori, dismissed Oharisi’s claims, saying supporters of Ovie Omo-Agege never went for a one-million-man march; rather, it was a solidarity walk.
Ophori cautioned that Olorogun Elvis Oharisi should know the difference between a solidarity walk and a Million Man March.
“His supporters have it for him and you are very free to do yours for your bosses”, he advised.
However, Oharisi, in a strongly worded statement, said the All Progressives Congress, APC stakeholders in the area, especially the youths, by their actions, have expressed their dissatisfaction with Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, describing him as a desperate and selfish politician, whose aspiration would not augur well for the people.
They insisted that the One Million-Man March lacked genuine purpose and was primarily a platform for promoting Omo-Agege’s personal agenda.
“This event is not about us or the issues that matter to us. It’s simply a means for Omo-Agege to boost his dwindling political image.
“While we appreciate the importance of political engagement, our leaders must prioritize our welfare over personal ambition.
“Many young people voiced that they are tired of events that do not add value to the polity. We want to see real commitment to our needs, not just grand events that offer little or no substance,” the statement read.
He says, “The rejection of Omo-Agege’s event serves as a reminder that the people of Ughelli North, particularly, the youth, are a significant force that cannot be overlooked.”
While describing that the one Million-Man March was a show of shame, he said that the fewer than 80 youths who participated, were hired from outside the local government area. He maintained the exercise was a total failure.
Oharisi said that the refusal to participate in the One Million-Man March highlights a broader trend among the youth in Ughelli, who are increasingly disillusioned with the traditional political manoeuvres of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
