News
Ohworode Hails Obakpororo’s Political Maturity, Says Nigeria Would Be Better With Politicians Like Him
By Francis Sadhere, Warri
The Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Albert Akpomudje, SAN, Eyavwien-Alaka I, has commended former National Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Representatives aspirant, Comrade Johnny Obakpororo, for demonstrating what he described as rare political maturity and respect for the people’s wishes.
The monarch, who is also Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers, said Nigeria would be a better country if politicians embraced the kind of politics demonstrated by Obakpororo, particularly his decision to step down from the race after listening to the voice of his people.
Akpomudje spoke when Obakpororo paid him a “Thank You Visit” at his chambers in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, following his withdrawal from the contest for the Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency.
The Ohworode said what particularly impressed him was not only Obakpororo’s decision to accept the wishes of his people, but also his return to appreciate those who supported him despite not securing the political ticket.
According to him, such conduct was uncommon among Nigerian politicians, who often regard political contests as battles that must be won at all costs.
He said: “The extent to which I know Nigerian politicians, it hardly happens. And if we play politics like this, I think Nigeria will be a better place.
“First, you listen to the voice of your people and you step down. Politicians never step down, but you listened to them. It is very important.
“Many would rather go into the battlefield and slog it out, spend time, spend money and, at the end of the day, make more enemies than friends.
“But here, you did not just listen to the people; you didn’t end there. You came back to them to say thank you.”
The monarch described Obakpororo’s action as evidence of trustworthiness, saying his conduct had demonstrated that politics could be practised without bitterness or desperation.
He added that politicians should understand that political contests were not matters of life and death, but opportunities to serve the people and advance the interests of society.
“It is not a very common trait among many politicians in Nigeria. So, I really want to thank you, and if our politicians can take a cue from you and understand politics, they will know that politics should not be a matter of do or die,” he said.
Akpomudje further predicted that Obakpororo’s approach to politics would help him build greater confidence among the people and strengthen his political future.
“Let me tell you, Obas, you have made a mark. It shows that you are a trusted person, you are a trusted politician, and I’m sure you’ve just started. This is a very good beginning,” the monarch said.
He urged Obakpororo to maintain the approach, stressing that respect for the people and their decisions would ultimately make future political engagements easier.
Earlier, Obakpororo explained that his decision to begin his “Thank You Movement” with the Ohworode was borne out of his respect for traditional institutions and the role of traditional rulers in the lives of the people.
He said as an Urhobo man, he regarded traditional rulers as custodians of the people’s culture and traditions and had always sought their prayers and guidance.
“I’m an Urhobo man, and we are from this place. People do not respect our kings anymore. They are our traditional rulers; after God, they are the people we respect,” he said.
Obakpororo disclosed that he sought the prayers of traditional rulers when he began his political journey and also kept them informed about major decisions concerning his political career.
He said he had similarly reached out to the traditional rulers after the party primaries to inform them of the decisions being taken and seek their guidance on the way forward.
According to him, his visit to the Ohworode was therefore beyond partisan politics, but a reflection of Urhobo values and respect for traditional authority.
“It’s not about the politics; it is about our way of life. It’s about our traditions,” he said.
The former aspirant also appealed for tolerance among his supporters, saying political differences should not destroy relationships or compel people to follow a particular political path against their wishes.
He said his supporters remained free to make their own political decisions, stressing that he would respect whichever direction they chose to take.
“I’m no longer in the race. I’m no longer contesting, so I will respect whatever decisions they want to make when it comes to politics.
“We don’t know what the future holds. The future is pregnant,” he stated.
The Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Albert Akpomudje, SAN, Eyavwien-Alaka I, has commended former National Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Representatives aspirant, Comrade Johnny Obakpororo, for demonstrating what he described as rare political maturity and respect for the people’s wishes.
The monarch, who is also Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers, said Nigeria would be a better country if politicians embraced the kind of politics demonstrated by Obakpororo, particularly his decision to step down from the race after listening to the voice of his people.
Akpomudje spoke when Obakpororo paid him a “Thank You Visit” at his chambers in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, following his withdrawal from the contest for the Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency.
The Ohworode said what particularly impressed him was not only Obakpororo’s decision to accept the wishes of his people, but also his return to appreciate those who supported him despite not securing the political ticket.
According to him, such conduct was uncommon among Nigerian politicians, who often regard political contests as battles that must be won at all costs.
He said: “The extent to which I know Nigerian politicians, it hardly happens. And if we play politics like this, I think Nigeria will be a better place.
“First, you listen to the voice of your people and you step down. Politicians never step down, but you listened to them. It is very important.
“Many would rather go into the battlefield and slog it out, spend time, spend money and, at the end of the day, make more enemies than friends.
“But here, you did not just listen to the people; you didn’t end there. You came back to them to say thank you.”
The monarch described Obakpororo’s action as evidence of trustworthiness, saying his conduct had demonstrated that politics could be practised without bitterness or desperation.
He added that politicians should understand that political contests were not matters of life and death, but opportunities to serve the people and advance the interests of society.
“It is not a very common trait among many politicians in Nigeria. So, I really want to thank you, and if our politicians can take a cue from you and understand politics, they will know that politics should not be a matter of do or die,” he said.
Akpomudje further predicted that Obakpororo’s approach to politics would help him build greater confidence among the people and strengthen his political future.
“Let me tell you, Obas, you have made a mark. It shows that you are a trusted person, you are a trusted politician, and I’m sure you’ve just started. This is a very good beginning,” the monarch said.
He urged Obakpororo to maintain the approach, stressing that respect for the people and their decisions would ultimately make future political engagements easier.
Earlier, Obakpororo explained that his decision to begin his “Thank You Movement” with the Ohworode was borne out of his respect for traditional institutions and the role of traditional rulers in the lives of the people.
He said as an Urhobo man, he regarded traditional rulers as custodians of the people’s culture and traditions and had always sought their prayers and guidance.
“I’m an Urhobo man, and we are from this place. People do not respect our kings anymore. They are our traditional rulers; after God, they are the people we respect,” he said.
Obakpororo disclosed that he sought the prayers of traditional rulers when he began his political journey and also kept them informed about major decisions concerning his political career.
He said he had similarly reached out to the traditional rulers after the party primaries to inform them of the decisions being taken and seek their guidance on the way forward.
According to him, his visit to the Ohworode was therefore beyond partisan politics, but a reflection of Urhobo values and respect for traditional authority.
“It’s not about the politics; it is about our way of life. It’s about our traditions,” he said.
The former aspirant also appealed for tolerance among his supporters, saying political differences should not destroy relationships or compel people to follow a particular political path against their wishes.
He said his supporters remained free to make their own political decisions, stressing that he would respect whichever direction they chose to take.
“I’m no longer in the race. I’m no longer contesting, so I will respect whatever decisions they want to make when it comes to politics.
“We don’t know what the future holds. The future is pregnant,” he stated.
