- As Isoko monarchs, IDU endorse Joel-Onowakpo’s candidacy
- I am most qualified – Joel-Onowakpo
President General of Isoko Development Union (IDU) worldwide, Prof Chris Akpotu has called on the people of Isoko ethnic nationality to redefine the fortunes of the nation by clinching the senatorial seat through the audacity of their thumbs, as this is the only option that would guarantee a qualified leader is ushered in to steer the Isoko nation to stardom in national affairs.
Akpotu said the Isoko is well positioned in this democratic dispensation to crop a new set of leaders with the wherewithal to dish out the dividends of democracy adding that such would be achieved without fisticuffs.
In a communiqué issued and read yesterday, December 26, 2022, at the Isoko House (IDU Headquarters) in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, President Akpotu emphasize that Isoko people will resist every undemocratic means to truncate the will of the people.
He said the IDU took an assessment of the political trajectory of the Isoko people and resolved that in the next political dispensation, the nation is due to produce a senator.
According to him, the apex socio-cultural body and mouthpiece of the Isoko ethnic nation made this resolution and on this, Hon Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, the APC Delta South senatorial candidate, is the sole candidate of the Isoko people.
He, however, denounced any sort of machinations and gerrymandering that would give room to unqualified candidates to ascend into elective political offices warning that Isoko people would resist any attempt to elect leaders whose ways contravene good leadership.
“It is common knowledge that our dear nation is on the march again towards recruiting new set of leaders across all levels of our national structure. This is happening at the instance of the supposedly revered democratic orientation. It does not require fisticuffs but only a clear demonstration of the audacity of the thumb.
“We urge you to resist any uncivilized approach that defies the essence of democracy. A sure mix of your functional conscience and your thumb will do the magic of electing service-oriented leaders and not ‘mafiosaic’ leaders who will not have anything to do with his electors after declaring them winners.”
Penultimately, President Akpotu admonished the Isoko people not to mortgage the peace of the nation to anybody especially politicians desperately trying to sabotage the effort of the nation for parochial benefits, stressing that such plans will be resisted absolutely.
He added, “Our peace must not be mortgaged for the desperate behaviour of any politician. In other words, no space should be left for political militants rather a ground for rationale, objective and civilized democratic behaviour that solely lies on the thumb and not in fisticuffs.”
IDU helmsman consented to the fact that Joel-Onowakpo remains the best among the lot to represent Delta south in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly and underlined the commitment of the Isoko ethnic nation to clinching the senatorial seat.
Meanwhile, the Isoko Traditional Rulers Council have, on behalf of IDU and the Isoko people, endorsed the candidacy of Joel-Onowakpo Thomas for the senatorial race.
Giving out their royal blessings at the Isoko House after the speech of the IDU President, the Odiologbo of Oleh, HRM Anthony Ovrawah Omogha 1, said the ex-chairman, Delta Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR) represent light whose illumination can not be curtailed or dimmed.
Omogha 1 reiterated that Joel-Onowakpo has been empowered to defend the identity of Isoko nation and will neither fall nor stumble in the course to clinch the senatorial seat for the Isoko people.
Earlier, Joel-Onowakpo told the people he remains the best candidate to represent the good people of Delta South in the tenth National Assembly having garnered unquantifiable experiences in various areas of human endeavours.
The APC senatorial candidate said he is amazed that despite the glaring differences between him and other contenders, it is difficult for the Isoko people to make a choice on his candidacy and stick to it.
Downplaying the gimmicks of trying to launder his image, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas an erstwhile states’ coordinator of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), noted that in academics, government, business and in life, no contender for the senatorial seat surpasses his achievements.
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“Today Joel-Onowakpo Thomas Ewomazino is an illustrious son of Isoko contesting for Senate, Delta South Senatorial District.
“The first question I will like to ask the Isoko man, and I want us to be very honest about it is that there are a lot of people contesting for Senate in Delta South Senatorial District, if you put these people side by side with your son who do you think is the most qualified person?
“This is not about trying to launder myself, you have known me, I have lived among you people. If you hold all the senatorial candidate side by side without sentiment who do you think is the most qualified?
“Sometimes as an Isoko man, I am confused because the Isoko man is making it look difficult to make a choice on what is on ground today. The choice is very simple, you have the best candidate for the senate and the choice is still very difficult for you?
“Having had the opportunity for your son contesting for the senate and being very qualified, I have not known any other person that is more qualified in terms of academics, government, business and in life; I am yet to see anybody more qualified than your son,” he reiterated.
Joel-Onowakpo continued: “To other ethnic nationalities, they are saying the Isoko people are very lucky for presenting a candidate that is most qualified and formidable. So, why is it so difficult to make a choice and take ownership of this project, why?
“Sometimes in my quiet moment I ask myself if the Isoko people feel I am not qualified enough, they should come out and tell me so that I will go home and sit down.
“I was here some time ago to see Isoko Development Union and an Ijaw Chief knelt down in this hall begging the Isoko people to support their son, that you don’t have the governor or deputy governor and the senate for 20 years. Why will they beg you again to vote for your son?
“I will conclude by saying that I have gone far in this race, I am not coming down. I am consoled by the fact that Isoko is at a crossroads. This election is not about Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, is about our identity as Isoko people.
“Let me say this categorically, go and sleep and not work for your son to become the senator. But I will tell you when you walk among people they will laugh at you.
“In this 2023 elections, what can you say that the Isoko people are holding on to? the House of Representatives and House of Assembly belong to us here like every other ethnic nationality. In Isoko what are we holding on to, the governor is not coming to Isoko, the deputy governor is not coming from us, if we don’t have the senate what are we holding on to?
“Continue to be thinking whether you will vote for Joel-Onowakpo Thomas or not, continue to be thinking that,” the APC Delta south senatorial candidate added.
The Isoko people are upbeat to clinch the senatorial seat with the backing of other ethnic nationalities, who have benefitted immensely from the former’s support during their quest to occupy jointly-owned political offices in time past.
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