Isoko 2015: How the Candidates stand the test of time

All the party primaries have come and gone but the memories are still in the minds of delegates that elected their candidates for the real political contest come 2015.Since the creation of Delta State on August 27th, 1991, Isoko Nation has been shortchanged in terms of leadership arrangement in the state while two Local Governments were created for Isoko people.

The battle between the ruling party (PDP) and the opposition party (APC) in Isoko is getting tougher that some candidates that ought to be in the former party were betrayed politically by powers that be and that led to the massive defection of party faithful to the latter to fulfil their political ambitions. Some of the candidates elected at the just concluded primaries in Isoko were Hon Leo Ogor(PDP),Barr. Daniel Oyowe(APC),Dr. Andrews Elueni(APC), Barr. Tim Owhefere(PDP),Hon. Benjamin Essien(APC), Barr.Orezi Esievo(PDP),Hon. Ferguson Onwo(APC) and Prince Johnson Erijo(PDP).Isoko nation has four constituencies; Isoko Federal Constituency, Isoko North constituency, Isoko South Constituency 1 and Isoko South Constituency 2.With the present crops of candidates contesting for Isoko 2015 that indicates that the politics structure has changed for better not as usual before where decisions were taken in one godfather's house without masses'consent.The deciding victories across all the four Isoko constituencies lie on the voters come 2015.Let see how these candidates stand the test of time for 2015

Hon. Leo Okuweh Ogor
Hon. Leo Ogor is the present serving Isoko Federal House of Representatives Honourable member who has been in the house for three uninterrupted times and won the PDP ticket to serve for fourth term. He is a strong candidate to beat come 2015 because he has proved his critics wrong that a bad legislator can turn a new leaf if he or she listens to his or her voters astutely. He is a grassroots politician to the core. His empowerment programmes are worthy to be emulated in Isoko.In Isoko today, he is known as the 'Oyibo of Isoko politics'. Any candidate contesting with Hon. Leo Ogor must be ready to march dollar to dollar and grassroots to grassroots to win. He remains an indefatigable and unflagging candidate to beat in 2015 in Isoko Federal Constituency. He is media friendly and ready to put smile on the faces of less privileged Isoko people. His gargantuan projects for Isoko Federal Constituency in recent times speak victory of his election come 2015.Hon. Leo Ogor remains the choice of Isoko PDP and nothing more. He is from both Ozoro kingdom and Idheze-Irri community in Isoko North and Isoko South LGAs.

Barr. Daniel Magus Oyowe
Barr. Daniel Magus Oyowe is a Lagos-based legal profession who recently joined the murky waters of Isoko politics under the platform of APC to wrestle the mantle of leadership from Hon. Leo Ogor in Isoko Federal Constituency. Few hours to his party primaries, he was alleged of money- laundering and was arrested from Asaba to Lagos by EFCC team where many thought his victory was conceded to Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo who came into the party before him but to the incredulity of everybody, he won the APC ticket to contest with Hon. Leo Ogor of the PDP come 2015.He is one of the youngest candidate Isoko nation has ever produced to contest election in 2015.His strong grassroots preparation will determine his victory come 2015.He is from Aviara kingdom.

Barr. Orezi Esievo
Barr. Orezi Esievo is three times serving commissioner in Delta State Executive Council. She is the party flagbearer of the PDP for Isoko South Constituency 1 where nobody has ever served twice and the second woman to contest for that position. She is from Emede-town but married to an Urhobo man. She remains one of the candidates to beat come to 2015 but PDP factor has nothing to do with her victory again. If she fails to reach out to the grassroots, then Tony Obuh's failure will be worst than her own. The Uduaghan's factor no longer works in Delta politics again. She has the strong political backings of Isoko PDP cabals but that does not give her an edge over the opposition contender. She is a trained lawyer by profession and she has empowered Isoko people at her own level of leadership. She is contesting with a strong serving candidate in person of Hon. Benjamin Essien of the APC come 2015.

Chief Hon. Benjamin Okiemute Essien
Chief Hon. Benjamin Okiemute Essien is from Ivrogbo- Irri community and present serving honourable member of the Delta State House of Assembly in Isoko South Constituency 1. He opened the eyes of Isoko voters towards former and present serving Isoko politicians on empowerment programmes and projects in Isokoland.Ever since he has been elected in 2011; he has represented Isoko South Constituency 1well in all ramifications. He remains the choice of Isoko South Constituency 1.He broke into history in 2011 when he won the then honourable serving Delta State legislator, Hon. Benjamin Efekodo of the PDP. He had since defected from the DPP to APC to secure his victory again. It is a political battle between a daring lion and a tiger in Isoko South Constituency 1 come 2015.Hon. Benjamin Essien remains unbeatable candidate come 2015.He is a Masters degree holder from Delta State University (Abraka).Can he break the long jinx of Candidate not going twice in Isoko South Constituency 1? Only time will tell if those clamoring for change we support his political ambition in 2015.

Chief Hon. Ferguson Ajirioghene Onwo
Chief Hon. Ferguson Ajirioghene Onwo is from Olomoro kingdom and once a council chairman and former NDDC Senior Special Adviser to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and read political science from the Premier University of Ibadan. He was a card carrier of the PDP before he was manipulated by powers that be at the just concluded PDP primaries in Isokoland.With his new found opposition party(APC), no doubt about his political victory in 2015. He is the choice of the people in Isoko South Constituency 2.He has used his little resources to empower the grassroots in Isoko.DoroFerguson is the voice of the people with credibility. He left PDP at the eleventh hour to join the APC where the ticket was given to him in a platter of gold with no political combat from anybody because he deserves it. Again, Umeh Need Road Forum (UNRF) has endorsed DoroFerguson for 2015 including other Isoko political stalwarts from both the ruling and opposition parties. He is a strong candidate to beat in Isoko South Constituency 2.

Prince Johnson Erijo
Prince Hon. Johnson Erijo is from Aviara kingdom. He has served Isoko South Constituency 2 for three consecutive times without political achievement. He is one of the most criticized politicians in Isokoland because he fails to provide constituency projects to the grassroots (Voters).He is the PDP candidate for Isoko South Constituency 2 contesting with Hon .Ferguson Onwo of the APC in 2015.Can Erijo win Ferguson in 2015?

Dr.Andrews Elueni
Dr.Andrews Elueni is from Ozoro kingdom. He is the Managing Director of Flawless Capital Limited and a trained economist to the core. He is vying for Delta State House of Assembly of Isoko North Constituency to unseat Hon Tim Owhefere come 2015. He remains a viable candidate to beat in 2015.Dr. Andrews Elueni is the card carrier of the APC and ready for victory in 2015.

Barr Hon.Tim Owhefere
Barr Hon.Tim Owhefere is the present serving honourable member of Delta State House of Assembly and ready to contest for third term. He remains a strong candidate to beat in 2015.

It is time for Isoko voters to vote wisely for their best candidates come 2015.

By Godday Odidi
Public Affairs Analyst
Lagos
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