What happens to Isoko politicians?
In one of the leadership forums organized in Lagos recently by some South-South leaders over the kind of politics played in Delta State where Isoko nation was a focal point of the debate. At that leadership forum, salient issues where raised on how Isoko politicians buy cars and motorcycles for supporters as means of empowerment programme instead of scholarships for the youths in the land. Some of the panelists fought against the selfish interests of Isoko politicians using liabilities as empowerment instead of assets.
One of the pertinent issues was raised that most of the cars bought by politicians to some of the jobless Isoko youths since 2011 are either alive or amputated and even sold out these cars for lack of maintenance. It is sad that most Isoko politicians are only interested in empowering Isoko unemployed youths and paying monthly salaries of #30,000 above to them as to support their egotistical ambitions. The worst is that these rapacious Isoko politicians are trading with destinies that are not ready for change. One will think that the emergence of social media in Nigeria would change the mindsets of Isoko youths rather making themselves too low for politicians to be used as political scapegoats in Isokoland.The so-called politicians have succeeded in taking political advantages of these youths in displaying their fairly-used cars on the social media as a means of kangaroo empowerment in Isoko.How many Isoko wealthy politicians are ready to make positive impacts in the land than training thugs for political victories in coming elections. If a politician can buy a jobless Isoko youth a Toyota Corolla for #800,000 to #1.2million as a gift, then such money could be channeled to a more productive empowerment for future development.
Again, some Isoko youths have sold their political birthrights for just #100,000 to #200,000 for these egoistic politicians who have succeeded in recycling themselves in corridors of power. Most social networks being created by some egg-head Isoko youths are mainly to promote their sponsors of these forums that have one political ambition or the other. In that forum, another salient question was asked that is it only politics can give creative empowerment for Isoko people? Some fought that argument and said Isoko politicians have overused the youths and it is time for them to fight for their rights.
The fact remains that an average Isoko youth is comfortable with his or her present status in life. One Barrister Charles Edo of Igbide kingdom recently fought a notable politician on the social media over some federal government empowerment programmes being given to Isoko nation where a paid staff of the politician went virile to attack Charles' position on the issue. How many Barrister Charles Edo do we have in Isoko now? Can you imagine that a poster of a non-performing politician who was conscripted on the people during the last PDP primaries in Isoko were being displayed on the social media by some hungry youths (Follow-Follow byproducts) as a performing politician.PDP in Isoko has given political room for the opposition party to win in 2015 if nothing to go by in the land.PDP is fast-becoming a failed party in Isokoland. 2015 is not far again, PDP defectors are waxing stronger in the new found political parties in Isoko. One major problem of Isoko elected and non- elected politicians most especially the ruling party is that they don't pick calls or reply text messages sent on their phones because of arrogant spirits in them.Isoko politicians must learn to work for the people not using security operatives to intimidate their supporters.
Lastly, Isoko youths must be wise in playing politics in Isoko.One question for Isoko youths, how many have their voters' card for the 2015 elections? It is time we used our votes to elect our credible leaders in Isoko.As Delta politics is arranged now; would Isoko nation play any significant role in 2015? Since General Tompolo of Ijaw nation is now the deciding factor of appointing a Deputy Governor come 2015.Isoko youths must say no to money or car politics and force Isoko politicians to give scholarships for the less privileged people in the land. Most Isoko pastors that ought to correct the ills in the land are now prayer warriors for these greedy politicians. No distance time, the truth will reveal itself someday.
By Godday Odidi
Public Affairs Analyst
08058124798 Lagos