Ogor is a big brother and a friend; elections will not tear us apart says Onowakpo

By Debra Akudo

A leading contender for Isoko Federal Constituency seat in Delta State under the platform of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Mr Joel Onowakpo Thomas has described the PDP minority leader and incumbent lawmaker representing the area, Mr Leo Okuweh Ogor as his big brother and friend, saying the 2019 race wouldn’t tear them apart.

Onowakpo spoke in reactions to report of “war of words” between him and Ogor which was generated by both contestants’ media aides and supporters on social media.

In a statement entitled: “Let Your Campaign  Be Issue Based” personally signed by him and obtained by some Jounalists  on Wednesday, Onowakpo urged his supporters and aides to keep the campaign process clean, saying that he was not going to war with his brother, but only seeking to replace him come 2019.

“My attention has been drawn to the cyber-war currently going on by some of my supporters and those of my opponent in the People’s Democratic Party, Hon. Leo Ogor. While it is expected that tempers may rise as campaign gathers momentum, I wish to sincerely appeal to my media team and all my supporters to quickly retrace their steps to the core issues of our campaign, which, when implemented are capable of speeding up the Isoko progress”, he wrote.

He urged his supporters and aides to refrain from maligning Ogor but engaged in marketing his robust social contract with the Isoko people, expressing confidence that in 2019 Isoko people who are yearnings for positive change of baton would elect him over Ogor.

“You will recall that at the flagoff and inauguration ceremony for the Campaign Council and Committee, I specifically requested that nobody should malign the person of Hon. Leo Ogor. He is a big brother and a friend. Elections will not tear us apart because at the end of our service to Isoko Land, we will come back home and and be brothers, which we are in the first place”.

The former Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), coordinator in charge of Delta, Edo and Rivers states, however warned those who are carrying out campaign of calumny against him to desist and engaged in issue based campaign, saying “I will bear no grudge against anyone who has insulted me or who will insult me in the future”. He said such “attacks” were some of the “price of leadership”.

He said that political propagandas and frivolous claims would not be entertained during the campaign process adding that he would only respond to substantiated claims through the appropriate organs of government when the need arises.

The front line contestant admonished his aides to concentrate more on highlighting his desire to serve the Isoko land effectively come 2019 when he would be elected as member representing Isoko federal constituency in the National Assembly .

Reeling out some of his promises to the people, Onowakpo said: “I am offering myself to be an effective representative of the Isoko ethnic nationality by being a bridge between the Isoko people and the Federal, State and Local governments”.

According to him, when elected, he would vigorously pursue programmes that are capable of empowering the youths, through agriculture, infrastructural development, sporting activities and government patronage via contracts to qualified youths.

He also promised to partner with private investors to setup a business/startup incubation centre, that will provide a co-working environment, training and funding for small noble business ideas that are capable of solving basic African problems.

“I will ensure that the Isoko nation benefits maximally from the Federal Government’s infrastructural development projects, which will include the completion of the Isoko ring road, the completion of the 132KVA step down transformer in Ozoro and the creation and completion of many more roads in different communities within the Isoko Federal Constituency, he added.

Consequently, Onowakpo, a one time chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, expressed commitment to ensuring that Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and other agencies of government upgrade from merely classroom renovation projects to construction and implementation of mega projects which will benefit his constituents.

According to him, “beyond what we can get from government patronage, I will use my position and influence to assist and if possible partner with private individuals to establish projects and programmes by taking advantage of our huge potentials in agriculture, oil and gas and commerce.

“I am making this my social contract with the Isoko people, I will not be a contractor and a Legislator at the same time. A template of our manifestos will soon be given to our team and we will subsequently make it public.

“I wish to once again appeal to everyone to take it easy, elections will be over in a few months and we will continue to be friends and brothers even after winners emerge. Let us go back to issue based campaign as we get prepared to speed up our progress”, he enthused

It will be recall that Ogor who is seeking a fifth term in the National Assembly has come under tense criticism from a section of his constituents who want him replaced having outlived his representation of the people.