By Francis Sadhere, Warri
AGBARHA-OTOR — Former National Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Representatives candidate for Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency, Comrade Johnny Obakpororo, has declared that the constituency must break away from what he described as years of political silence and embrace leaders whose loyalty is first to the people.
Obakpororo, popularly known as “Obas”, stated this during a “Thank You Visit” to the traditional ruler of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom and his supporters in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The former NDC candidate said his approach to politics was fundamentally different from the conventional practice where politicians place the interests of political parties above those of the electorate.
According to him, his primary allegiance is to the people who make up the political constituency, rather than to any political party.
“I am a people’s politician, not like the normal politicians we see around us. My allegiance is to the people that make up the political party, not just the party itself,” he said.
Obakpororo said the outcome of the recently concluded NDC primary election was now a matter of the past, stressing that his attention had shifted to mobilising and sensitising the people on the need to elect credible leaders capable of giving the constituency a stronger voice.
He lamented what he described as the political marginalisation of Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency, arguing that despite its strategic importance, the constituency had not sufficiently asserted itself in the political affairs of Delta State and Nigeria.
“Looking at the three local government areas that make up Ughelli North, South and Udu Federal Constituency, it seems they are not existing in the politics of the state and even at the national level.
“The voices of the three local government areas are not heard because nobody speaks for them. We must put a stop to it. Enough is enough,” he declared.
The politician maintained that the major challenge confronting Nigeria’s political system was the tendency of politicians to become more loyal to political parties than to the electorate who elected them.
“You see, we have a problem in this country: the problem of being loyal to the party instead of being loyal to the people. I am loyal to the people, not loyal to the party. That is why I put myself forward to represent them. It is not a party thing; it is about the people,” he said.
Obakpororo also disclosed that following the NDC primary, party leaders, elders and stakeholders at both the local government and state levels prevailed upon him to step aside.
He said he accepted their counsel out of respect for the leadership and stakeholders of the party, stressing that his decision should not be interpreted as an abandonment of his political commitment to the people.
He subsequently used the visit to appreciate his supporters in Agbarha-Otor for their loyalty, commitment and support during his campaign, assuring them that he remained committed to the political aspirations and welfare of the people.
Responding to the visit, Oghene Ochuko described Obakpororo’s return to the community to appreciate his supporters as unusual in Nigerian politics.
He said many politicians often forget their supporters after an election, but Obakpororo had demonstrated a different character by returning to the community despite not emerging from the primary election.
“We did not expect him to come back to say thank you. Many people, even when they have won elections, will not come back to appreciate their supporters. But he came back to appreciate us,” Ochuko said.
He commended Obakpororo for the cash donations, food, drinks and other gifts presented to supporters during the visit, describing him as a “good and kind man”.
Also speaking, the immediate past President-General of Samagidi-Agbarha-Otir Community, Comrade Emmanuel Odoko, described Obakpororo as the “People’s General”, citing what he described as his interventions and contributions towards improving the lives of people within the council area and beyond.
The visit, which brought together traditional and community leaders as well as supporters, further underscored Obakpororo’s insistence that political leadership must be measured by its relationship with the people rather than by party affiliation alone.I can also give you 3 sharper, newspaper-style headlines with a more confrontational political tone if you want.
