Isoko LGs: Between Malik And Egbabor

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One chairmanship aspirant that has politically distinguished himself from any other chairmanship aspirants in Isoko South Local government is Sir Hon. Itiako Constantine Ikpokpo popularly called by his admirers and friends as 'Malik'. He has been a silent and gentle politician in Delta State politicking from Asaba.

He once vied for the Delta State House of Assembly in 2011 and later stepped down for a vibrant Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Hon Benjamin Efekodo, whose victory was coasted to the opposition party (DPP). Hon Malik Ikpokpo, the Uro- Irri born businessman and a product of University of Portharcourt knew what he wanted for Isoko South people when he out rightly rejected a political appointment from Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan late last year.

Isoko South Local Government has been hijacked by some certain set of people since 2007 that see the council as their source of income and nothing else. The arrival of Mailk Ikpokpo, as one of the chairmanship aspirants has created a political configuration that some wants to install their candidate at all means whether by merit or demerit.

He is one of the political lackeys that diligently served Chief Solomon Ogba very well in all ramifications and still loyal to his boss despite his recent fame in the political circle. With the political permutations, combinations, alignments, re-alignments and consultations so far,Hon.Malik Ikpokpo seems to be most likely aspirant to emerge as the PDP candidate that will contest alongside with other opposition candidates come October 14,2014.

Though the music is gradually changing as the sudden emergence of Chief Raphael Okaruefe which allegedly sponsored by some desperate Isoko politicians who their person to be in power at all means. Isoko North council is not meant for political family business unlike Isoko South where cronies are voted into power by godfathers not electorates.Isoko PDP elders should not decide who will rule them than the people which such as an aspirant has affected positively or otherwise. Other aspirants like Dr. Godwin Adalor, Dame Okpokpor and Evans Egbo are strong aspirants to beat in Isoko South politics.

One the 16th of June, 2014, Hon Malik Ikpokpo declared his intention to run for the Isoko South chairmanship position where all his crème da la crème of associates and friends gathered to support his political ambition. It was like another political angel Gabriel has arrived Oleh kingdom and he officially announced his intention to everyone that cared to listen. In fact Malik's political declaration was distinctively different every any other political aspirant vying for Isoko South chairmanship position. His activeness on social media and body language indicated that Hon Malik Ikpokpo is the very choice of the Isoko South people and grassroots mobilizer.

Since the creation of Isoko South Local Government Area, no Irri son or daughter has emerged as the Local Government Chairman, which other clans have been elected. Irri town has the largest clans in Isoko but has not occupied the seat of Isoko South chairmanship position except the recent Vice chairman, caretaker committee, Hon. Dickson Egbebare Fineboy from Ivrogbo- Irri appointed by Dr. Emmanuel Udaughan and others. Irri votes only have contributed to the political growth and development of Isoko politics and beyond.Irri community is big enough to have their own local government now that the National conference has confirmed the creation of an additional 18 states in Nigeria and more local governments which Anioma State will be created out of Delta State.

The federal government will create three 4 local governments for Isoko nation if our Isoko top leaders can fight for it. The National confab also confirmed that if a region with a minimum of 1million people can have their own state which Isoko nation is qualified to have their own state too.

Come to Hon. Malik Ikpokpo, he has duly paid his political price with his progressive philanthropic gestures exhibited in Isoko in recent times. He is a politician with large heart but appears as a gentleman that cannot hurt a fly but ready to put smile on the faces of Isoko South people. The PDP calculations show very well that Hon. Malik and Hon.Okaruefe is at the tango list of selection and fears have griped some camps in Isoko South whom to anoint as the PDP candidate. If elected into power, Hon. Malik will not disappoint his people.

He is not a poster aspirant or social media campaigner but ready to prove to his supporters that he is prepared to win. He is one of the first aspirants to purchase the PDP form for the contest. As a trained transporter, media consultant, sports analyst and others, he knows what is good for Isoko South people. With his branded declaration for the contest indicated that he is loved by the people. Malik is the anointed representative of the people by the people and for the people. Malik has the highest votes from the social media and these voters are part and parcel of Malik's vision for change. His political creativeness in politics has singled him out from other political aspirants. Hon. Malik remains a man to beat in Isoko South Local Government come October 2014.

Other chairmanship aspirants are sellable in Isoko South but some are tagged as 'poster campaigners' while others are tagged as 'attention seekers' and few know why they want to change the leadership of Isoko South. Only the party primaries will determine the fate of these aspirants in Isoko South.

The man, Hon.Emmanuel Ajrioghene Egbabor of Ozoro kingdom whose political aspiration is synonymous to Hon. Malik Ikpokpo.In 2011,he once contested for Delta State House of Assembly of Isoko North Constituency where he stepped down for Hon Barr. Tim Owhefere for second term. As a trained monetary economics from both Delta State University and University of Lagos with sound Masters Degree knows what it is good for Isoko Norh people. He is one of the Isoko chairmanship aspirants that have intimidating credentials whose endorsement as PDP candidate in Isoko North never caused any political brouhaha unlike in Isoko South where some disgruntled elements are sponsored to abort some political ambitions in the land.

He is a grassroots politician and ready to take Isoko North to the next level. Though he lives in Lagos but comes home on weekly basis to know the plight of his people. Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor is one young Isoko philanthropist who has put smile on the faces of less privileged ones in Isoko. He is the Deputy Managing Director of Pro-Data Limited that presently consults with the Akwa Ibom State governor, Dr.Godswill Akpabio and others. He is a trained journalist who has won several awards and was recently added to the Mindset Hall of Fame Leaders, Innovators and Entrepreneurs of 2014 /2015. He deserves the seat of Isoko North because he has paid hiss price of servitude. Hon Emmanuel Egbabor is popularly called as 'changers' by his admirers because of his youthful activism he created in Isoko as a student then Delsu.

He remains a sought after chairmanship candidate of the PDP and the choice of Isoko North people. He is a grassroots mobilizer with integrity. Early June when Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor declared his intention to run for Isoko North chairmanship position and he received PDP bigwig supporters without qualms. Among all the chairmanship aspirants in Isoko South and Isoko North, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, Malik Ikpokpo, Evans Egbo, Rev. Jerry Odugala and others are active on social media than others who merely registered their photographs and not active.

He is a man to beat and ready to take Isoko North to the next level. The voices of the people are the voice of God, so Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor deserves the seat of power. Having assessed all the chairmanship aspirants in Isoko North, Hon. Egbabor remains a contending figure who believes on the people and nothing more.

Finally, both Malik and Egbabor are chairmanship aspirants whose political aspirations are similar with one mandate to make their supporters experience the presence of governance if elected. They are both down-to-earth grassroots politicians to the core. It is time we voted for credible, accessible and reliable candidates' not political parties. Malik and Egbabor are the choices of these new generational youths of Isoko region. They are in their late 40s and they know what the people want from them.


Godday Odidi

Public Affairs Analyst

08058124798,

Lagos

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Articles by Godday Odidi