The Director-General of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA), Hon. Benjamin Essien Okiemute, has appealed to former Delta State House of Assembly member, Hon. Michael Diden, popularly known as Ejele, to withdraw his court case challenging the emergence of Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Delta South Senatorial District. Okiemute said resolving the dispute internally would promote party unity and strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 general election.
Key Highlights
- Okiemute urges Michael Diden to withdraw lawsuit over the Delta South APC Primary.
- Calls for the APC’s internal dispute resolution mechanism to be used.
- Says unity is crucial for the party’s success in the 2027 general election.
- Argues that the Delta South Senate seat should remain in Isoko for two consecutive terms.
- Maintains that Senator Joel-Onowakpo should complete a second term before power shifts.
- Calls on APC stakeholders to prioritise reconciliation over prolonged litigation.
Reacting to the legal challenge arising from the APC direct primary election held on May 18, 2026, Okiemute urged Diden, whom he described as a loyal party member, to seek an amicable resolution through the APC’s internal conflict resolution process rather than the courts.
According to him, internal reconciliation remains essential to preserving the stability of the party and enhancing its electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 polls.
He stressed that members should place the collective interest of the APC above personal political ambitions, warning that prolonged legal battles could weaken the party’s chances in the forthcoming elections.
Okiemute, an APC chieftain from Isoko South Local Government Area, also argued that the Delta South Senatorial seat should remain in Isoko for two consecutive terms in the interest of equity, fairness and political stability.
He maintained that Senator Joel-Onowakpo should be allowed to complete a second term in office, describing it as consistent with the political understanding among the ethnic nationalities that make up the Delta South Senatorial District.
“For the sake of peace, unity and togetherness, Hon. Michael Diden should consider withdrawing the case and support Senator Joel-Onowakpo’s second-term bid,” Okiemute said.
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He further stated that the Itsekiri ethnic nationality should have the opportunity to produce the senator in 2031, after the completion of Joel-Onowakpo’s second tenure.
According to Okiemute, allowing the senator to complete another term would provide continuity for ongoing constituency projects, legislative initiatives and development programmes already underway across the district.
He expressed confidence that Joel-Onowakpo’s continued representation would deepen development across Delta South and further strengthen the APC’s electoral position.
The DESTMA Director-General also appealed to party leaders, stakeholders and supporters across the senatorial district to close ranks and embrace reconciliation, saying unity remains the party’s greatest asset ahead of the next general election.
Okiemute served as Deputy Director-General of the Joel-Onowakpo Campaign Organisation during the 2023 general election and played a key role in the campaign that produced the senator.
