B R A G

SENATOR JOEL ONOWAKPO’S PERFORMANCE SPEAKS LOUDER THAN POLITICAL GANG-UPS

CAMPAIGN FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE, a non Governmental Organization ( NGO) committed to citizen participation in governance, rule of law and good governance has been watching closely the race for the 2027 Delta South Senatorial slot

The recent moves by Elder Godsday Orubebe and his associates to undermine the second-term bid of Senator Joel Onowakpo-Thomas( JOT) in favour of Michael Diden is not only inappropriate but deeply disappointing to the good people of Delta South.

Before Senator Joel Onowakpo, the last time an Isoko person became a senator was in 1999-2003 when Stella Omu occupied the position . From 2003-2023- a space of 20 years, James Manager clung to the Senate without a whimper of dissent from Isoko People. The Itsekiris were compensated by the 8 years Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, an Itsekiri held sway as Governor of Delta state.

It was by providence but not by accident that Joel Onowakpo Thomas defeated Micheal Diden aka Ejele in 2023 to emerge as the Senator representing Delta South in the red chambers. James Manager agreed to relinquish his hold on the Senate just because he ran for governorship primary in 2023 .

Elder Godsday Orubebe who is now rooting for Ejele has never been a friend of the Isoko People. As Minister of Niger Delta affairs under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Orubebe shortchanged the Isoko People and had zero budget for Isoko in his ministry throughout his stint in that Niger Delta Affairs Ministry . He is again demonstrating his hatred for Isoko people by canvassing for a shift of the Senate seat from Isoko to Itsekiri. If an Ijaw man could hold on the Senate for 20 years what is wrong for an Isoko man to hold a Senate seat for at least two terms. After all Isoko has oil and an abundance of it .

This same gang-up made Stella Omu, an Isoko woman to do only one term as a Senator . What has Isoko done to warrant this serial shortchange in Delta South?
What exactly is the justification for this conspiracy?That a performing Senator should be pushed aside for Political convenience? That loyalty to a few godfathers outweighs service to the people?

Talking of political patronage , an Ijaw man, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro served as Deputy Governor throughout the eight years of the administration of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. Also an Ijaw man, Broderick Bozimo was Minister of Police affairs in 2003. Dr Roland Oritsejafor , an Itsekiri also served as minister of defence in Olusegun Obasanjo's administration. From 1999 till date , an Isoko man has not been a deputy Governor or Minister and not even a common ambassador. Is Isoko subservient to the Itsekiri and Ijaw in the three "I"s?
Even Ejele who is now Orubebe's choice for the Senate has received undue patronage from past administrations in the state. Apart from being a member of the State House of Assembly he has been Chairman of DESOPADEC and has received so many political favours from which he allegedly amassed substantial wealth.

Since assuming office as a Senator, Joel Onowakpo-Thomas has been a strong advocate for the development of the Niger Delta Region, highlighting the disparity between the region 's contributions to the nation's oil production level and the lack of corresponding infrastructural development.

Senator Onowakpo Thomas has been actively involved in legislative initiatives aimed at fostering development, education, healthcare and local content in Nigeria . He sponsored a bill to establish a Federal Medical centre in Oleh , Delta state. JOT has also introduced the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act ( amendment bill 2023) seeking to establish a Federal College of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies in Emede, Delta State.

Under JOT's educational initiatives he has sponsored a bill to establish a Federal Polytechnic Bomadi .The proposed institution is intended to serve and uplift long neglected riverine communities. He had also initiated a bill for the establishment of a School of Nursing in Patani , Delta State . This initiative has been commended by the Ijaw National Congress for addressing educational disparities in the region. More profound is Senator Onowakpo 's bill seeking to establish the Federal oil and gas hospital in Benikrukru in Delta State. As a first time Senator Joel Onowakpo has had the distinction of becoming the Chairman Senate Committee on local content, vice chairman senate committee on Defence, Vice Chairman senate committee on employment, Labour and productivity as well as member of several other Senate committees.

The crucial bills initiated by JOT need time to address and a second term in office is needed to bring them to fruition. Is this what Elder Orubebe and his cohorts want to truncate ? Is Orubebe even aware that most of these initiatives are in his Ijaw area?

Let it be made clear: Delta South is not for political recycling or imposition—it belongs to the people.

Senator Onowakpo’s tenure has been marked by quiet but impactful representation, focused on real development rather than media noise. From legislative contributions to constituency-driven interventions, he has demonstrated capacity, maturity, and a clear understanding of the needs of Delta South.

What we are witnessing now is a classic case of political entitlement—a small circle of power brokers attempting to override the will of the people in pursuit of personal interests. This is not democracy; this is desperation.

The attempt to impose Michael Diden, regardless of his political history, raises serious questions:

•⁠ ⁠Is Delta South now a bargaining chip for elite negotiations?
•⁠ ⁠Should competence be sacrificed on the altar of political loyalty?
•⁠ ⁠Why disrupt a performing representation for untested promises?
The truth is simple: performance must be the benchmark for continuity.

Senator Onowakpo has earned the trust of his constituents through accessible leadership,legislative effectiveness, strategic empowerment initiatives and commitment to peace and stability in the region.

Those plotting behind closed doors must understand that the era of backdoor politics is fading. The people are more informed, more engaged, and more determined than ever to defend their mandate.

We therefore call on Party stakeholders to respect democratic principles and constituents to remain vigilant and reject imposition .

Delta South deserves progress, not regression disguised as political strategy.
The choice is clear: sustain progress with Onowakpo, or gamble with uncertainty.
History will not be kind to those who choose self-interest over the collective good.

Senator Joel Onowakpo ( JOT) deserves a second term, even more than James Manager who was in the Senate for 20 years , if performance is the major consideration for continuity. The Isoko people will no longer fold their hands and allow political contractors from outside Isoko to decide the fate of the Isoko nation. Enough is Enough.

For: CAMPAIGN FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE

Prince Obaro Unuafe
National Coordinator

Chief Augustine Oritseweyinmi
( Rep CGG, Itsekiri Nation)

Comrade Francis Onorounu
(Rep CGG Isoko Nation)

Chief Gbelele Anthony
(Rep CGG Ijaw Nation)

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