By Emmanuel Ekebe/Michael Ilaya
The former Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Council and a Senatorial aspirant in the just concluded All Progressive Congress primaries, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo has challenged Isoko political class and Community leaders to evolve a workable strategy towards attracting government development projects to Isoko land.
Sir Itiako Ikpokpo gave the charge today at his country home, Uro-Irri while briefing Journalists following his withdrawal from the Delta South Senatorial All Progressive Congress primaries.
According to him, projects such as the dualization of Oleh-Olomoro-Iyede road, sustainable power supply to lsoko as exemplified by Uzere Community pilot project to increase the economic base of the Isoko people should be prioritized.
Sir Ikpokpo, one time ALGON chairman and ALGON Director General stated that, his driving force to contest the Senatorial seat was to add value to society because he has gone beyond Local Government Chairman, ALGON and unfold his vision and agenda with the view of building capacity to move the Senatorial District to the next level.
He charged the lsoko people to re-awaken their consciousness to get things in right perspective and decried the way and manner the leaders are piloting lsoko affairs presently.
Responding to a question on the role played by Isoko Development Union (IDU) during the build up to the recent party primaries, Sir Ikpokpo condemned in strong term the attitude of IDU leadership for not being firm and called for “reengineering the leadership to have more capacity to champion the course and aspirations of Isoko people before the government”.
He faulted the drivers of the Isoko IDU for not providing a level playing ground to every aspirants to market themselves and test their popularity.
He also pointed out that Isoko Nationality has several people with diverse capacity to represent them in any government position, stating that IDU has lost its bearing to oratory at the expense of good leadership that can drive the process in the right direction
Sir Ikpokpo therefore, urged Isoko leaders to run a leadership mechanism to be led by an independent person who would be a voice for the Isoko nation and not necessarily somebody in government.
On his plans towards 2031, the former Isoko South Council boss pointed out that, it was too early to talk about 2031 but “what we should be doing now is to rally support for our Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to succeed and finish strong”.
Reacting to allegations that he was being sponsored by some prominent politicians from other tribes, Sir Ikpokpo debunked the reports and warned those persons who use the social media to tarnish people’s reputation built over the years to desist forthwith as there are always repercussions for impuning on the integrity of people.
On the possibility of sharing his ‘CLUE’ agenda, which was his fulcrum of his campaign with the incumbent for the Senatorial seat, Sir Ikpokpo said that, his doors are wide open as a politician for everybody who cares to share in his vision.
Speaking on his involvement on the Niger Delta Games, Sir Ikpokpo stated that the Niger-Delta Development Commission’s sponsored sport fiesta, is an avenue not only for fertile socio-cultural interaction but also a platform to harness talents to represent the country in international competitions like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.
