We Must Move From Primitive Politics Of Considering Opposition An Enemy – Senator Joel-Onowakpo

Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, representing Delta South Senatorial District, on Sunday, attended the one-year in office anniversary of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, declaring, “we must move away from primitive politics where the opposition is considered an enemy”.

Addressing journalists after the church service, held at Winners Chapel, Ibusa Road, Asaba, Delta State capital, Senator Joel-Onowakpo, said that he is duty bound as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to represent everyone in his constituents irrespective of political party’s affiliations, just as the President is president for all Nigerians.

Joel-Onowakpo said that Governor Oborevwori’s extension of invitation to all the senators from Delta State irrespective of their political leaning to grace the church thanksgiving, was the smartest and wisest thing to do.

He reiterated that it will be very timid and very disrespectful of him to have turned down such an invitation even though they are from different political divide.

According to Senator Joel-Onowakpo, “I am a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not just for APC members in my Senatorial District, but for all parties. I represent everyone and must bring the dividend of democracy to our people.”

Continuing, he said that just as the governor of Delta State is the Governor to everyone in Delta State and not governor to only those who are PDP members, so also “I am a Senator today because Delta State exist, and I am also a critical stakeholder in Delta State. For emphasis sake, I represent 1/3 of the State and my other two colleagues from Delta State represent 2/3 of the State.”

While commending the Governor for the gesture regardless of their political leaning, he said, “it will be very timid and very disrespectful of me to turn such an invitation. The question I need to ask myself if I even think of turning down the invitation is: what do i intend to achieve? And very honestly, I will have no answer to such a question other than telling myself not to attend because the governor is a PDP governor. Which to me is pure nonsensical!”

The senator also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing members of the opposition parties into his cabinet, saying, “I should imitate my APC supreme leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is so broad-minded in relating with members of the opposition.”

“As an APC member, I should imitate my APC supreme leader in person of, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is so broad minded in not only relating with members of the opposition but even appointing His Excellency Nyesom wike as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, because he recognized the fact that he is the president of everyone in Nigeria.”

According to him, “I want to say that, HE Sheriff Oborevwori should be commended for being broad minded like our President. I want to encourage him to continue to be broad minded and also being inclusive. I am waiting for the day he will appoint credible members of the opposition party to his cabinet.

“I also want to say that, I am not aware of the president giving directive to MDA {Ministry, Department and Agency} of government to pass all Federal government intervention programs through only APC members rather all intervention programs are routed through the various State governor’s irrespective of their political affiliation. And this is the way to go.”

Senator Joel-Onowakpo reiterated the need for politicians to work together, saying, “We must move away from primitive politics where the opposition is considered an enemy. This country needs a cross-fertilization of ideas to have rapid development. We are elected to represent our people, regardless of party affiliation, with the common goal of empowering our people and developing our environment. We most not lose sight of this”, he added.