In thinking about the outgoing year, 2017 and the events of epic significance that took place, one’s spirit becomes buoyed that, there is still hope for Isoko, the 3rd largest ethnic group in Delta State with a population of over a million. With the demise of the legendary Chief James Augustine Ekpere Otobo, former Deputy Premier of Mid-Western Region, political leadership of the Isoko easily fell on Chief (Comrade) Ovuozourie Samuel Macaulay, the immediate past Secretary to Delta State Government (2011-2015) and the Okiroro of Isokoland.
Chief Macaulay, ever since then, has not disappointed, betrayed his people. Rather, he has been offering purposeful political leadership, promoting and protecting the great interests, aspirations of Isoko nation politically and economically, especially, using his vast connections.
He is a progressive politician like the welfarist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo (1909-1987) former Premier of the Old Western Region from1954 to 1962. Like the late sage, he is democrat socialist, who believes in the famous postulation of “do economically unto others as you would like to be done to you”. A noted political leader who stands to be counted among his peers, Chief Ovuozourie Macaulay is a man of vision and foresights. He is courageous, and radically committed to the economic empowerment and development of the Isoko people. His record of economic empowerment, influencing political appointments for Isoko sons and daughters is unbeatable. He is always at home in his Owhelogbo community attending to all and sundry.
It was Chief Macaulay, the bridge builder who led a high powered delegation of illustrious Isoko sons and daughters to felicitate with the newly installed Olu of Warri. There are other of such visits of fraternal felicitations and national alliances he has led all for the interests of Isoko.
In talking about political structures, Chief Macaulay over the years has nurtured formidable political bodies with profound political ideologies. Currently, he boasts of the largest political followership.The Isoko Advancement Network (IAN) headquartered in Ozoro and under the chairmanship of the inspiring Hon. Mike Ogwah is the most advanced body, and since its formation in 2006, it has been “Acting as a think-tank to Isoko politicians in government, Providing moral and logistic support before, during and after elections, playing the role of a pressure group to articulate the needs of the Isokos in particular and Deltans in general, assisting members in their quest for political and economic power and standing as a bulwark for our political leaders”. IAN boasts of the best, great minds,dependable administrators, technocrats, academics and those that have honed their teeth in their diverse professions. Professor Samuel Ovuete Aghalino, an eminent historian and chairman of the governing council of Delta State College of Education, Warri, is the intellectual power house, who provides vigorous ideological fillip for the group, especially through his eminent writings.
The foregoing political ideology of IAN also holds sway for its affiliate bodies: Isoko Patriotic Front (IPF) founded in 2009, currently headed by Hon. Daniel Tutumor, political assistant to Delta State Governor. Others are, Macaulay’s Political Vanguard (MPV) with Hon. Harryman Okoro as chairman, Ithihikpebe Campaign Organization (ICO) founded in 2006 by the universally acclaimed chartered accountant and aadministrator, Hon. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas and Isoko Grassroots Movements (IGM) founded in the year 2000 by Chief Macaulay himself as well as the Exodus Political Movement, under the leadership of Fineboy Ebegbare.
These political pressure groups doesn’t only articulate the dire needs of the Isoko people, but are playing major roles in campaigns, ensuring victory of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the polls and, advancing the frontiers of Isoko politics beyond Delta State.
Chief Macaulay’s handling of the political affairs of the pressure groups is unparalleled. He is the patron of all of them, and his leadership is not only endearing, but exemplary. One encounters no agitation among his teeming followers and loyalists.
He treats everyone with deep respect. Thus, he enjoys respects from all. There is also, passionate admiration for him by political juggernauts from other ethnic groups encountering him and his lieutenants the way and manner they coordinate themselves, even in public gathering.
It takes man of foresight, vision and courage to organise a grand event, I mean here, the grand reception in honour of Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former Governor of Delta State on the 18th of November, 2017.
In that highly successful event that was witnessed by Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former Governors of Delta and Edo States, past and present members of National Assembly, under the chairmanship of the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Odeareduo Ogomudia, Chief Macaulay asked pertinent questions; “When will an Isoko man be named a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? Again, when will an Isoko man chair a viable Federal Board?”. He asserted that, “From 1999 till date, apart from the four years of Senator Stella Omu at the Senate, Isoko people have never been given any prominent Federal appointment in spite of the high level contributions to electoral victories and revenue aaccruing to Nigeria from oil”. These are brave words from a patriotic Isoko son, one who pursue the ideology of Isoko first. A true, thoroughbred Isoko politician who speaks unequivocally about Isoko and its people.
As 2018, the year of political consultations, campaigns for 2019 general election draws nigh, its imperative, Isoko people rally round, invest ttheir hopes and aspirations on a tested, trusted political leader. Politics they say is central in achieving collective aspirations, hopes and interests. Its time for us to chart a novel destiny for ourselves, Isoko, culturally, economically and politically. Its only a man of Chief Macaulay’s political caliber and sagacity that can inspire us to greatness. Time is ticking, let’s rally round Chief Macaulay for economic and political relevance. Isoko Wadooo!!!
Comrade Ajiri-Oghene .J. Oreh teaches literature at Ogugu Secondary School, Edo State.
