With just hours remaining before the highly anticipated national election of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), a major crisis has erupted, casting a dark shadow over the entire process. The group known as Project Rescue Urhobo (PRU) has sounded a loud alarm, declaring that the election's credibility is in serious jeopardy due to what it describes as widespread and systematic violations of the union's constitution.
Core Allegations of Constitutional Violations
In a strongly-worded statement released on Thursday, December 4, 2025, PRU pointed an accusing finger directly at the UPU's National Executive Council (NEC) and the appointed Electoral Committee. The group asserts that these bodies have repeatedly broken key constitutional rules, thereby destroying any hope for a transparent, fair, and credible electoral exercise.
PRU, represented by its Convener Prince Noble Otadaferua, Secretary Daniel Etaga, and Publicity Secretary Peter Darah, outlined a series of specific breaches. A central complaint is the alleged refusal to publish the official list of branches and sub-branches, a requirement clearly stated in Article 21.2(h) of the UPU Constitution. Instead, PRU claims the structures were secretly manipulated and altered, creating confusion and opening the door for the engineering of voter outcomes.
Furthermore, the group alleges that the delegate list was produced outside the constitutional framework, violating Article 10.1. They say it included delegates from branches less than twelve months old and was released too late, hidden from aspirants who were thus robbed of any chance to verify or challenge it. PRU labeled this a direct attack on the integrity of the Annual National Congress.
Electoral Committee Accused of Acting "Above the Constitution"
The accusations extend to the conduct of the Electoral Committee itself. PRU states that the committee ignored transparency rules under Article 22.2(h) by failing to release electoral guidelines on time, publishing them abruptly, and withholding them from those seeking office.
The statement goes further, accusing the committee of behaving "as though above the Constitution." Specific charges include unlawful attempts to disqualify aspirants, changing approved timelines without authority, and making decisions that fall far outside its official mandate. Other serious allegations involve wrongfully trying to classify qualified members as non-members and making scheduling decisions seemingly designed to put certain aspirants and their branches at a disadvantage.
PRU's Demands for Immediate Action
PRU argues that the combined effect of these alleged actions has completely eroded neutrality, fairness, and the UPU's core value of unity. They insist that under the current circumstances, the December 5 election cannot be considered free, fair, or credible.
To salvage the process, PRU has issued a clear set of demands. They call for the immediate publication of all branches and sub-branches and the full delegate list. They also demand the verification and publication of branches eligible under the 12-month rule, as well as clear communication of accreditation procedures before the Congress begins.
The group has appealed to the UPU's Board of Trustees, Council of Representatives, Ukoko r'Viebe, and the Forum of PGs to step in immediately. They urge these bodies to exercise urgent oversight, restore order, and ensure strict compliance with the union's constitution to protect the integrity of the Urhobo Nation.
