The long-standing leadership crisis within the Urhobo Ethnic Nationality chapter of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) appears to have reached a resolution following a joint meeting held on December 17, 2024, at the Ughelli Kingdom Hall in Ughelli, Delta State.
The meeting, which brought together leaders from opposing factions, invoked decisions to restore harmony in the body, addressing years of internal discord that have hindered its operations.
The leadership dispute originated in 2017 when Comrade Pender Agwarive was elected as the Urhobo Ethnic Chairman of HOSTCOM but was asked to step aside to accommodate Mr. Andrew Obirherhe Agoyo, reportedly imposed on the chapter by aides of the former governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. Agoyo’s tenure, marked by controversy and allegations of mismanagement, has been a source of division among members.
Key issues reviewed during the meeting included multiple allegations against Agoyo, such as his suspension following a public altercation during his inauguration in 2018 and his eventual impeachment in 2021 over alleged embezzlement of funds and failure to convene meetings. A committee led by Chief Ernest Oromona from the Isoko Ethnic Chapter of HOSTCOM had upheld the impeachment, recommending Agoyo’s removal. Despite this, leadership in the Urhobo HOSTCOM chapter remained fractured, enabling Agoyo to perpetuate his claim to office.
The turning point came with the Delta State Government’s approval of ₦525 million for HOSTCOM activities, including funding for transportation, skill acquisition programs, and renovations. Out of the ₦300 million released so far by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), ₦100 million was allocated to ethnic nationality chapters. However, Agoyo's disbursement of just ₦2 million to local government chapters without transparency regarding the full allocation sparked fresh concerns, prompting the latest meeting to address the crisis.
Leaders resolved that Agoyo ceases to be the chairman of the Urhobo Ethnic Nationality chapter of HOSTCOM, reinstating Comrade Pender Agwarive as the rightful leader. The resolution also called for the formation of a harmonization committee to address lingering issues, including positions zoned to the Urhobo extraction at both the state and national levels.
The meeting outlined further steps to consolidate unity within the chapter, including the withdrawal of an ongoing court case against Agoyo and others and a formal notification to the Delta State Government and DESOPADEC that the Urhobo HOSTCOM chapter had resolved its differences. Leaders also planned to revisit the distribution of funds intended for youth security to ensure equitable sharing among all stakeholders.
The Agwarive-led executive pledged to prioritize reconciliation, restore transparency, and strengthen the chapter’s capacity to advocate for the interests of the Urhobo people effectively. “With this resolution, we are confident that Urhobo HOSTCOM can now focus on delivering on its mandate and fostering unity for the collective good,” a communiqué from the meeting stated.
The crisis resolution comes at a critical time, as HOSTCOM plays a pivotal role in representing oil-producing communities. Leaders expressed hope that the renewed unity would enhance the chapter’s ability to leverage government interventions and ensure equitable development for Urhobo communities.
As part of the resolution, the chapter plans to formally inform the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and DESOPADEC’s leadership of its newfound harmony. Leaders emphasized their commitment to working collaboratively to safeguard the rights and resources of the Urhobo ethnic nationality in the oil-producing areas.
The resolutions also addressed the utilization of the remaining ₦225 million from the approved government funding, urging accountability and transparency in deploying the resources to projects and programs that benefit all stakeholders. The general public, Delta State Government, and DESOPADEC have been urged to take note of the development, which marks a new chapter for Urhobo HOSTCOM.
