Ben Igbakpa currently represents Ethiope Federal Constituency of Delta State at the National Assembly having won the 2019 election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is seeking to retain the seat in next year’s election but now on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). In this interview, Igbakpa who is a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly and former Commissioner for Transport in the state, expressed confidence that his performance in the first tenure would give him victory irrespective of the fact that NNPP is relatively new and unknown in Delta State.

You have been a member of the PDP over the years, why did you move to NNPP for the 2023 election?


The constitution guarantees freedom of association and expression. And most times, people don’t join political parties because of the name, they join because of the ideology. Another reason for joining a political party is because of association; you have people of like minds that you think you can galvanise your ideals with. Considering the fact that politics is local and you have to start from the grassroots, if the foundation is no longer in tandem with your thinking, there is nothing wrong, you have to activate that principle, that constitutional requirement for freedom of association, and you can move. Political parties are just vehicles to actualise political dreams and aspiration. For me, I am no longer comfortable with the party at my local level. And the leg must stand for the hand to do whatever it wants to do.

You participated in the PDP primaries and now you are the candidate of NNPP, does the law permit that?

The law allows that. I am going to take you to two sections of the Electoral Act, and I think they are sections 115 and 153 that have to do with interpretation. When you look at those two sections, you will know that it is an offense for somebody to sign nomination form as a candidate in two different constituencies of the same electoral cycle. And section 153 or thereabout explains who is a candidate. Under section 153, a candidate means a person who has secured the nomination of a political party to contest an election for any elective office. There is a difference between a candidate and an aspirant. And again, on the same strength, section 115(1d) states a person who signs a nomination paper or result form of a candidate in more than one constituency at the same election. The operational word here is candidate. INEC does not know you, the law does not even know you until you become a candidate. So there is no offense, there is nothing to cure, nothing wrong in you leaving one association to the other in order to foster your political belief. That I have done and it is my right.



You said you left PDP because at the grassroots level, the ideals are no longer in tandem with yours but was it not actually because you lost at the primary? Was the primary not free and fair?

You are a journalist, it all depends on your definition of free and fair. The free and fair you talk about is not the free and fair that I see. But you see, politics is like a football game, people win and people lose. But in a situation where people are winners by hook, crook and in a manner that suggests an attitude of an emperor, it is unacceptable to me. Really, these are issues I don’t want to talk about but you are asking so that you don’t go with the wrong impression of my person. I know all that transpired, there was no primary, there was a charade. I know what happened in the first primary, I know all that transpired. So, when people talk about somebody winning, yes you have the ticket now, that is why I have to dare, let us go and face the people. But if I have the opportunity to amend the Electoral Act, I will request for a direct primary where every person will have a say because this primary occasioned by the statutory delegates not participating is fraudulent and it has a very big implication in our leadership recruitment quest for the country.

You will be contesting against the same forces within the PDP with the James Ibori factor, what are your chances?

You would not want to be name calling. I disagree with you, Chief Ibori is my elder brother and he is my leader. I can have certain disagreements because even the father and son relationship, there are times when the father churns out a policy in the home and the son or daughter will not agree. Let it be on record that I hold Chief Ibori in very high esteem and I still respect him; he is my leader and I have no reason not to respect him. But I am contesting election not just against his daughter, we are five on the ballot. And nobody on the ballot is a push over. So I don’t like the situation where people narrow the election to be between me and my younger sister. Yes it is a competition and there are two ways to it, it is either you win or you lose. I believe I am running on a platform and the biggest platform I am running under is my performance and scorecard as a federal legislator and a state legislator.



Apart from your performance, we also know that the party structure plays key role in deciding elections. PDP and APC are more on ground in Delta compared to your NNPP which is relatively new…

… If NNPP is relatively unknown in Delta, is Ben Igbakpa relatively unknown? So, take Ben Igbakpa, look at the face and vote for Ben Igbakpa, and that is the message.

What are you bringing to the table as campaign commences?

I told you that the biggest strength that we have in our kitty in this campaign is our performance. I am not looking for anything to say, I am not saying I will, I am not saying something disturbed me not to, I am not making promises. I signed a contract with the people of Ethiope Federal Constituency in 2019, and in 2022 going to 2023, I am going to show them my performance in this contract that I signed with them. And if I have performed the contract, executed it judiciously to standard and specification, I know they will be ready to give me another contract. And that I am sure of. So what I am bringing to the table is my performance, my scorecard which is very handy. And that should tell them that if I am able to do this in the first tenure under a dispensation of opposition, if I am able to rise up to the challenge, they should know that when I go back the second time, not just as a first timer but as a ranking member of the National Assembly, I should be able to do more.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/nigeria-decides-2023-why-i-joined-nnpp-igbakpa-hor-candidate/&ved=2ahUKEwj4lseIten6AhUsQfEDHVbWB_IQFnoECA0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw3Hi90ThDo856s850RC5pJd

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Kwankwaso will get half of ethiope votes,not good for tinubu and okowa

He is up against bigger forces. I don't know how he intends scaling through. Same thing with Baro in Uvwie, only that Baro seems more rugged and has the backup of some titans.

2023 will be interesting.

garfield1:
Kwankwaso will get half of ethiope votes,not good for tinubu and okowa

Kwankwanso won't win more than some wards in Ethiope. PDP has the constituent on lock unless the current supremacy battle extends.

BAT isn't on the equation in some zones in Delta state, you should know that by now.

Efewestern:
He is up against bigger forces. I don't know how he intends scaling through. Same thing with Baro in Uvwie, only that Baro seems more rugged and has the backup of some titans.

2023 will be interesting.

Who is baro? I feel Ben defected because of ibori's daughter.I believed chief halims agoda defeated him in 2019.I dont know who is aoc candidate this time

NNPP in the South South?

Efewestern:


Kwankwanso won't win more than some wards in Ethiope. PDP has the constituent on lock unless the current supremacy battle extends till then.

BAT isn't on the equation in some zones in Delta state, you should know that by now.

The large population of hausas in ughelli town and uvwie will vote kwankwaso.just as buhari won urhobo land,bat will win too.nwaoboshi,osanebi,Doris uboh,ojougboh etc will get him votes up north while Joel will get him votes in isoko.the itsekiri tilt towards apc and ayiri is a major part of his campaign.dont forget remi is itsekiri

slivertongue:
NNPP in the South South?

No be so labour and apc start? Akpanudoedehe is nnpp candidate in aks,usani usani is pushing nnpp in crs

garfield1:


No be so labour and apc start? Akpanudoedehe is nnpp candidate in aks,usani usani is pushing nnpp in crs

Yeah NNPP is a movement in Kano but shadow outside the North

slivertongue:



Yeah NNPP is a movement in Kano but shadow outside the North

That remains to be seen.kwankwaso pulled crowds in delta and uyo

Maybe he lost primaried in PDP

garfield1:


That remains to be seen.kwankwaso pulled crowds in delta and uyo

It's not by crowd but by PVC.

slivertongue:


It's not by crowd but by PVC.

Most of his fans have pvc

Young03:
Maybe he lost primaried in PDP

Defection is defection.pdp dey collect woto woto.okowa should continue opening his wide mouth while things pass him by

garfield1:


Who is baro? I feel Ben defected because of ibori's daughter.I believed chief halims agoda defeated him in 2019.I dont know who is aoc candidate this time

Baro was the former chairman of Uvwie local government area. He was sacked by Gov Okowa and defected immediately to APC. He is currently the APC flag bearer for Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, contesting against Hon Evelyn Oboro of the PDP. Baro is one of the most influential APC figure in Uvwie, please don't mention Festus. He commands lots of dedicated followers and loyalists.

I Know Ben defected because he lost out to Erhiatake, but realistically speaking, his chances are quite slim, unless something unusual happens. He can utilize the power of his current seat, but again, he is up against bigger names.

garfield1:


Defection is defection.pdp dey collect woto woto.okowa should continue opening his wide mouth while things pass him by

Okowa will have himself to blame. It is either Tinubu or Peter Obi.

If the election runs into rerun and it involves Atiku, that's when he would know Southerners have woken up

garfield1:


The large population of hausas in ughelli town and uvwie will vote kwankwaso.just as buhari won urhobo land,bat will win too.nwaoboshi,osanebi,Doris uboh,ojougboh etc will get him votes up north while Joel will get him votes in isoko.the itsekiri tilt towards apc and ayiri is a major part of his campaign.dont forget remi is itsekiri

The population of Hausa in Delta Central is very insignificant. Buhari got Delta Central votes because of the influence of DSP not because of the population of notherners in the state. Ughelli is overwhelming dominated by the Urhobos and only followed by the Isokos. No other ethnic groups has the numbers to influence any significant political Change.

What numbers can Nwaoboshi pull ? Osanebi is very influential and seems to be loved by his people. He will pull figures no doubt, but can he deliver his sub-ethnic bloc ? Only time will tell.

As for Joel, his people aren't doing enough to push him or his Party. I can't really tell his strength.

Efewestern:


Baro was the former chairman of Uvwie local government area. He was sacked by Gov Okowa and defected immediately to APC. He is currently the APC flag bearer for Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, contesting against Hon Evelyn Oboro of the PDP. Baro is one of the most influential APC figure in Uvwie, please don't mention Festus. He commands lots of dedicated followers and loyalists.

I Know Ben defected because he lost out to Erhiatake, but realistically speaking, his chances are quite slim, unless something unusual happens. He can utilize the power of his current seat, but again, he is up against bigger names.

Oh,hon henry minabowanre baro.he was illegally removed by 7 out of 20 members.he is very popular in uvwie and with hon oboro being quiet,he might just win.I dont know how strong sheriff is in that constituency.I dont know how strong apc is in sapele,I know sheriff holds okpe...
Igbakpa is a goner.agoda won apc primaries again and the court affirmed him.with pdp now divided in ethiope,he should win this time.rev waive should also win in ughelli seat.but I dont know how strong dafinone is.I'll have preferred otega emerhor or agege returns to the senate and be SP.I just heard that some iboris men have started meeting agege.
The ijaw areas where pdp rigs is now uncertain with tompolo being given a big contract and manager,otuaro are aggrieved with orubebe now in apc and Edwin Clark now against okowa.

Cc tutudesz

garfield1:
Cc tutudesz

If Omo agege can do it with LP, anything is possible
Defection would've make sense before primaries

Efewestern:


The population of Hausa in Delta Central is very insignificant. Buhari got Delta Central votes because of the influence of DSP not because of the population of notherners in the state. Ughelli is overwhelming dominated by the Urhobos and only followed by the Isokos. No other ethnic groups has the numbers to influence any significant political Change.

What numbers can Nwaoboshi pull ? Osanebi is very influential and seems to be loved by his people. He will pull figures no doubt, but can he deliver his sub-ethnic bloc ? Only time will tell.

As for Joel, his people aren't doing enough to push him or his Party. I can't really tell his strength.

DSP is seriously working for tinubu too.you know his guber bid depends heavily on tinubu winning.osanebi,nwaoboshi the oracle of ibusor do not nerd to win delta north.they just need to reduce pdp winning margins,win one or two lgas especially with obi gaining ground in that side.
Joel is popular in isoko but he will love to the great sir hon ejele.all he needs is to divide isoko votes as hon Leo ogor is inactive.with the ijaws being aggrieved over losing pdp ticket,tinubu will get some votes there.agege can strike a juicy deal with them

tutudesz:

If Omo agege can do it with LP, anything is possible
Defection would've make sense before primaries

Omo agege did it through the courts

garfield1:


Oh,hon henry minabowanre baro.he was illegally removed by 7 out of 20 members.he is very popular in uvwie and with hon oboro being quiet,he might just win.I dont know how strong sheriff is in that constituency.I dont know how strong apc is in sapele,I know sheriff holds okpe...
Igbakpa is a goner.agoda won apc primaries again and the court affirmed him.with pdp now divided in ethiope,he should win this time.rev waive should also win in ughelli seat.but I dont know how strong dafinone is.I'll have preferred otega emerhor or agege returns to the senate and be SP.I just heard that some iboris men have started meeting agege.
The ijaw areas where pdp rigs is now uncertain with tompolo being given a big contract and manager,otuaro are aggrieved with orubebe now in apc and Edwin Clark now against okowa.

Ibori boys are PDP members at day and APC members at night

garfield1:


The large population of hausas in ughelli town and uvwie will vote kwankwaso.just as buhari won urhobo land,bat will win too.nwaoboshi,osanebi,Doris uboh,ojougboh etc will get him votes up north while Joel will get him votes in isoko.the itsekiri tilt towards apc and ayiri is a major part of his campaign.dont forget remi is itsekiri

Buhari never won urhobo land
Rather he won only two LGA and lost the rest.
With Ogboru the people general now in APGA, ethiope east is open for all.
All those you mentioned are failed politicians...
PDP made them.
Itsekeri isn't for Tinubu.
If the combination of Udaughan and Ayiri could not deliver itsekeri votes in 2019, forget it now that Udaughan is back in PDP.

garfield1:


Omo agege did it through the courts

Ewherido won with DPP, so anything is possible.

garfield1:


Oh,hon henry minabowanre baro.he was illegally removed by 7 out of 20 members.he is very popular in uvwie and with hon oboro being quiet,he might just win.I dont know how strong sheriff is in that constituency.I dont know how strong apc is in sapele,I know sheriff holds okpe...
Igbakpa is a goner.agoda won apc primaries again and the court affirmed him.with pdp now divided in ethiope,he should win this time.rev waive should also win in ughelli seat .but I dont know how strong dafinone is.I'll have preferred otega emerhor or agege returns to the senate and be SP .I just heard that some iboris men have started meeting agege.
The ijaw areas where pdp rigs is now uncertain with tompolo being given a big contract and manager,otuaro are aggrieved with orubebe now in apc and Edwin Clark now against okowa.

Baro is somewhat influencial. He is the one spearheading lots of Tinubu support group in the city. But you undermine people a lot Garfield. Oboro won't be a pushover, the lady gave Agege a run for his money. Lol. Lots of Baro's loyalists are aggrieved so they are ready to dig it out.

I'm pointing Erhiatake Ibori to win Ethiope. Sheriff is very strong in Okpe but I don't think he has any influence in Sapele. Waive would win, I'm not seeing any serious opposition.

@Bolded, you should understand that Ughelli isn't the only Urhobo speaking clan. Other clans should also taste political power. Giving the ticket to Dafinone is a strategic move for fairness and equity. The Okpe people of Urhobo shouldn't be left out in any political scheming. Dafinone's chances are really quite high. Agege will cover Ughelli/Ethiope East/part of Uvwie for him, He would need to only secure his Okpe clan to emerge winner.

Let's hope the BVAS limits massive rigging, because the numbers from the creeks are terrifying. Whosever they pledge their alliance to carries the day.

Aiel123:

Buhari never won urhobo land
Rather he won only two LGA and lost the rest.
With Ogboru the people general now in APGA, ethiope east is open for all.
All those you mentioned are failed politicians...
PDP made them.
Itsekeri isn't for Tinubu.
If the combination of Udaughan and Ayiri could not deliver itsekeri votes in 2019, forget it now that Udaughan is back in PDP.

Does Udaughan have followers He is no body without his brother. Ogboru will not win his polling unit this time around

Aiel123:

Buhari never won urhobo land
Rather he won only two LGA and lost the rest.
With Ogboru the people general now in APGA, ethiope east is open for all.
All those you mentioned are failed politicians...
PDP made them.
Itsekeri isn't for Tinubu.
If the combination of Udaughan and Ayiri could not deliver itsekeri votes in 2019, forget it now that Udaughan is back in PDP.

Did pdp not make agege and osanebi? Are they failures? Itsekiris have always spoken in favour of apc.uduaghan has always been a failure.an itsekiri ward ugborodo gave buhari 24,000 votes the highest in southern nigeria.warri south west gave him 40,000 votes,the highest in se/ss.
I know buhari didnt win delta central but he did well there.it is like a strategic victory.ogboru can still decide to work for any candidate he wants

tutudesz:

Does Udaughan have followers He is no body without his brother. Ogboru will not win his polling unit this time around

His influence is waning every year.uduaghan has always been under ibori shadow

Efewestern:


Oboro is somewhat influencial. He is the one spearheading lots of Tinubu support group in the city. But you undermine people a lot Garfield. Oboro won't be a pushover, the lady gave Agege a run for his money. Lol. Lots of Baro's loyalists are aggrieved so they are ready to dig it out.

I'm pointing Erhiatake Ibori to win Ethiope. Sheriff is very strong in Okpe but I don't think he has any influence in Sapele. Waive would win, I'm not seeing any serious opposition.

@Bolded, you should understand that Ughelli isn't the only Urhobo speaking clan. Other clans should also taste political power. Giving the ticket to Dafinone is a strategic move for fairness and equity. The Okpe people of Urhobo shouldn't be left out in any political scheming. Dafinone's chances are really quite high. Agege will cover Ughelli/Ethiope East/part of Uvwie for him, He would need to only secure his Okpe clan to emerge winner.

Let's hope the BVAS limits massive rigging, because the numbers from the creeks are terrifying. Whosever they pledge their alliance to carries the day.

Your last point sums up delta politics...
There's always a massive turnout there (70% upwards. Warri SW onced had 88.67% turnout)
Those regions saved Udaughan from losing in 2011.
But Okowa inflated it so much for his reelection.
Burutu,Bomadi,Warri...are rig lord zones.

tutudesz:

Does Udaughan have followers He is no body without his brother. Ogboru will not win his polling unit this time around

Who will win The People General 'without troops ' in his polling unit?
Hope you know he has never lost the LGA all through his governorship sojourn?