"Despite the huge contribution of Isoko constituency to the wealth of the nation through oil and gas exploration, the area has nothing to show for it," the coalition said.
Delta State Coalition of Chairmen of Registered Political Parties have passed a vote of no confidence in the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and member representing Isoko Federal Constituency, Leo Ogor, over what they described as monumental failure and poor representation for the past fifteen years.
The chairmen made this known after a meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital, to review the activities of the federal lawmaker.
Reading resolutions of the meeting on Friday, on behalf of the more than 20 political parties, the state chairman of the Grassroots Party of Nigeria (GPN), Clarke Anthony, flanked by other executive members of the coalition, lamented what he referred to as the under-development of Isoko Federal Constituency and poor representation at the federal level, expressing displeasure that the area has not produced a federal minister, ambassador or any other position of note since the return of democracy in 1999.
According to the coalition, after series of investigations and consultations, they resolved to support the former chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue and the current coordinator, Federal Inland Revenue Services in Delta, Edo and Rivers States, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, to replace Ogor, who is currently suffering from a partial stroke.
"Despite the huge contribution of Isoko constituency to the wealth of the nation through oil and gas exploration, the area has nothing to show for it in terms of industries. The area lacks steady electricity, potable water and basic infrastructure. The current occupier of the seat in the House of Representatives has failed woefully and has nothing to write home about in his over fifteen years of representing his people.
"For these obvious reasons, the party chairmen resolved to support a former Chairman of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas to realise his aspiration to represent Isoko Federal Constituency in the 2019 election, irrespective of the political party he intends to use for the election. We have told all our members and party faithful in the wards and local government levels to give all their votes to him for qualitative representation.
"Onowakpor has never been indicted for corruption, in spite of so many sensitive positions he has held and still holding till today. Joel-Onowakpor as Chairman of Delta State Board of Internal Revenue raised the revenue of Delta State by over 250 per cent before he left and we believe this experience will be usefully deployed to represent the Isoko people in the House of Representatives as from 2019.
"As former member of the Delta State economic council, he has acquired much experience that would impact positively in the lives of Isoko people if elected in 2019. Onowakpor's credentials as a chartered accountant, business consultant, serial entrepreneur with interests in hotels and hospitality, financial services, commodity trading and other endeavours will be utilised for the benefit of the Isoko people if elected in 2019.
While calling on Isoko political stakeholders, opinion leaders and the electorate to vote out Ogor and bring in Joel- Onowakpo, the coalition stated that "Onowakpo's simplicity, accessibility and his philanthropic nature will definitely benefit the Isoko people, whose men, women and youths he has always empowered."
The coalition, however, made it clear that it will support only credible candidates with proven records of integrity and performance for other political positions, adding that the case of Isoko Federal Constituency is peculiar because of the level of under-development and failure of the incumbent minority leader, Ogor.
There had been reports that Peace Ogor, wife of the minority leader, Leo Ogor, the member representing Isoko Federal Constituency of Delta State in the House of Representatives, was unhappy over "unnecessary pressure by selfish politicians" on her husband, who has been battling stroke for some time now, to join the 2019 contest.
Aside his health challenge, the lawmaker has also been on the radar of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraudulent contract deals.