President of the Isoko Development Union (IDU) Worldwide, Professor Chris Akpotu, has said the decision of the Isoko people to elect Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas to represent Delta South Senatorial District is already yielding significant dividends, citing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's assent to the bill establishing the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Oleh, as clear evidence of effective and purposeful representation.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News Night on Saturday, Akpotu described the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre as a landmark achievement that has brought an end to decades of perceived federal neglect of the Isoko Nation.
He said the successful establishment of the medical institution vindicates the collective resolve of the Isoko people to pursue effective representation at the National Assembly after years of political marginalisation.
"Our resolve to send Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas to the Senate is paying off. Today, history has been made because, for the first time, the Isoko Nation has secured a major federal institution that reflects our place in the Nigerian federation," Akpotu said.
The IDU President thanked President Tinubu for signing the bill into law, describing the gesture as one that has restored hope and renewed the confidence of the Isoko people in the Federal Government. He also commended the National Assembly for passing the legislation and praised Senator Joel-Onowakpo for sponsoring the bill and ensuring its successful passage.
According to him, the establishment of the FMC has given the Isoko people a renewed sense of belonging after decades of contributing immensely to Nigeria's economy through crude oil and gas production without commensurate federal presence.
"For years, whenever we spoke about the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we had little practical evidence to show that Isoko was truly part of the federation in terms of federal infrastructure. Today, that narrative has changed," he said.
Akpotu noted that the Isoko Nation remains one of Nigeria's major oil and gas-producing areas, with communities such as Irri and Uzere endowed with vast gas reserves, while several others contribute significantly to the country's crude oil production, both onshore and offshore.
Despite these enormous contributions, he lamented that the area had, for decades, received little attention in the distribution of federal projects and strategic appointments.
Tracing the political history of Isoko representation in the Senate, Akpotu recalled that the late Senator Francis Spanner Okpozo's tenure was cut short by military intervention, while former Senator Stella Omu served only one term. He added that for nearly two decades thereafter, another ethnic group within Delta South occupied the senatorial seat, limiting Isoko's opportunity to pursue its developmental aspirations at the highest legislative level.
According to him, this informed the determination of the Isoko people to produce a senator who would vigorously champion their interests.
"We deliberately worked to ensure that an Isoko son emerged as senator because we understood that strategic decisions are taken at strategic levels. Today, Senator Joel-Onowakpo has justified that confidence through quality representation and landmark achievements that history will remember," he stated.
Akpotu described Senator Joel-Onowakpo's performance as exceptional, saying his representation has surpassed previous records and demonstrated a clear understanding of the developmental needs and aspirations of the Isoko people.
He expressed optimism that the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre would serve as a gateway to greater federal presence in Isoko land, likening the development to the biblical fall of the walls of Jericho.
"This is the breakthrough we have been waiting for. The walls of exclusion have fallen, and the Isoko people have entered a new era of recognition, inclusion and development," he said.
While expressing gratitude for the approval of the Federal Medical Centre, Akpotu appealed to President Tinubu to sustain the momentum by considering qualified Isoko sons and daughters for ambassadorial appointments, ministerial positions and the leadership of federal agencies.
He maintained that although the approval of the FMC marks a historic turning point, more needs to be done to address decades of imbalance and ensure the Isoko Nation enjoys equitable representation and greater access to the dividends of democracy.
