Delta 2023: Isoko nation settles for Senate ~ Truth Reporters

By Jubilant Igelige JP

The Isoko Developement Union (IDU) and all her leadership organs, home and abroad, have carefully diagnosed the political environment cum positions, in this transitional period and have decided to settle for the Senatorial seat come 2023.

This position was made known in an enlarged Conference of Isoko people held on 27th December, 2021, at the Isoko Unity House, Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area.

The annual general conference, presided over by the President General, the erudite Professor Chris Akpotu, among other issues, pointed out that by precedence and rotation, Isoko is largely and deliberately being marginalized in the state political equation. The Senatorial agenda should not be subsumed under "political sentiment and/or pity," but should be given clear consideration of equity as critical stakeholders in today's governance. In our unique democratic culture, positions must be seen to be zoned to accommodate various interest groups, especially very active stakeholders. You will agree that, since the advent of this democratic dispensation, it is on record, Isoko had only occupied the Senatorial seat between 1999 to 2003, then Ijaw from 2003 - 2023.

It is important to note that, the governorship position, which is also "Senatorial in nature" by political arrangement ab initio, was occupied by an Itsekiri born, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for eight (8) years (2007 - 2015), an exalted office that is at the centre of governance when compared with a Senatorial position, the judgment is yours. If Ijaw born has taken a shot as a Senator for twenty (20) years, It will be a disservice and oppressively burdensome on the Isoko nation to allow same Itsekiri take the mantle after 8 years of governorship in same Senatorial jurisdiction that is commonly shared by the three (3) "i's (Isokos, Itsekiris and Ijaws).

The conference confirmed that, the Governorship and Senatorial positions are two state and national offices of great significance, jointly owned and typically tied to Delta South Senatorial ethnic nationalities, and therefore, must be equitably occupied for the sake of justice and fairness.

The truth remains that, Isokos are politically weighty and as a people, we have, over the years supported the Ijaws and Itsekiris at achieving their political aspirations. To the same extent, it is not a misplaced agitation to say the three "ethnic tripod" be given equal and fare share positions as brothers.

Continuing, the house collectively reiterated that, regardless of the fact that, IDU is not partisan, as the parent administrative and cultural body, a rallying point of the Isoko people, home and abroad, it is incumbent on the leadership to drive the process, immediately commence proper consultative visit to other ethnic nationalities, stakeholders, political class, both traditional and cultural, to seek collaboration and garner necessary political support as we approach election, with a view to allowing Isoko man represent the Senatorial seat at the hallowed red Chambers.

Conclusively, we have unanimously agreed not to take a middle course of political neutrality. We make bold to say that, Isoko has sons/daughters who are mental giants, eminently qualified in all standards to contest the Senatorial position in 2022/2023 under this political climate. Delay is preferable to consistent political errors. No honest man can be happy when his fellow Senatorial brother is been oppressed and suppressed. Going forward, let us jointly erase the past mistakes, even as we beseech stakeholders to give honest consideration to Isoko tremendous contributions to the national economy and our peaceful disposition, which ab initio had reflected in the single term (1999 - 2003) in office as Senator, before the Ijaw took over, the conference added.