By Abiola Olawale
As the race for the vacant s Edo Central Senatorial Seat intensifies, collosal number of endorsements have started growing for Dr. Joseph Ikpea, a former Honourable Commissioner for Minerals, Oil, and Gas in Edo State, and a former Chairman of Esan South East Local Government Council in the same State.
The New Diplomat reports that Ikpea had recently officially declared his intention to seek election to fill the vacant seat as a Senator representing the people of Edo Central Senatorial District at the upper legislative chambers.
Since that declaration, his candidacy has been generating considerable interest and support from various stakeholders across the Senatorial District.
This is as Prince Miracle Ogbebor, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Poma Communications Worldwide has also joined the growing list of those who have thrown their support behind Ikpea for the upcoming Edo Central Senatorial by-election.
Ogbebor stated that his endorsement reflects his confidence in Ikpea’s vision and ability to effectively represent the interests of the Edo Central people.
He asserted: “This is the time for me to support him (Ikpea) because he supported me when I came into politics from the grace group to this present day.
“I am still a member of the PDP but my full support is to Hon. Joseph Ikpea. After all, in the 2023 general elections, the leadership of PDP in Esan South East told us to vote against Ordia, the Senatorial candidate of the party, and we should give our full support to Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC, which we did.
”Hon. Joseph is my Boss, he supported me during my local government appointment. He stood by me all through and ensured that I succeeded.
“I don’t pay back good with evil. This is payback time for him. I will stand by him until he emerges the next Senator.”
This is coming just as the New Diplomat’s the New Diplomat’s team recently went around the five Local Government Areas that constitute the Edo Central Senatorial District, sampling stakeholders respondents.
Responses from the five Local Government Areas of the Edo Central Senatorial District seem to reflect the increasing consensus that Ikpea is a prominent figure known to the grassroots for his background as an apt professional, grassroots politician, philanthropist, and businessman, with the requisite background to represent Edo Central at the Senate.
ESAN CENTRAL LGA
A chieftain of APC in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Eugene Okoloise described Ikpea as the best man for the job.
He said: “Joseph is the man for the job and to me, he is simply the best for the job. If you take a sample poll from among the people in Edo Central ninety percent of the people will tell you that they will go for Joseph.
“I know that Joe was not initially keen on running for the vacant senatorial seat. It was the people that came together to say, Joe, come and run for the seat because we know you can do it.”
IGUEBEN LGA
In the same vein, Mr. Augustus Omokaro Eriaria, who hails from Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State described Ikpea as “a very dependable and reliable politician who has always been in the service of his people and humanity.” According to him, as the chairman of Esan South East Local Government Area, Dr. Ikpea “proved his mettle.
ESAN WEST LGA
A chieftain of the party from Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Engr. Michael Ehitoya Kuku, who spoke to The New Diplomat said Ikpea is a grassroots politician who cares for his people.
In his words: “Joe has been on the ground and knows what the people want. He is not an outsider. He is somebody who knows what his people want. He is a man of few words but full of action.”
ESAN SOUTH LGA
In Esan South Local Government Area of Edo State, a youth leader of the APC, Hon. Prosper Iyere, from Ward 7 in Esan South Local Government of Edo State, maintained that he had made a comparative analysis between and among all persons aspiring to the position and, in his words, he had zeroed on Joe Ikpea as the aspirant to beat for the vacant senatorial seat.
ESAN NORTH LGA
Also emphasizing the impact that Dr.Joe Ikpea had on people in his previous political offices, another chieftain of the party, Mr. Saturday Iyoha from Esan North East Local Government Area, stated that “Dr. Joe is a successful businessman and is also a politician. He was a one-time Chairman for Esan South East Local Government Area. He did well as a Local Government chairman. I know him, he is a philanthropist. He is living a life that touches other people’s lives. He is a man that is accessible to everybody”.
The New Diplomat reports that Ikpea’s reputation has been gaining traction, and the impact of his leadership and expertise is becoming more pronounced, with numerous individuals stepping forward, sharing compelling and heartfelt testimonies that highlight the profound impact he has had as a visionary politician and dedicated community leader.
His political journey has a rich intersection of community service, public spiritedness, and exceptional accomplishments that marvel all, including his political rivals and peers.
Dr Joseph Ikpea’s political journey is not only rich, fitting, and exciting but one that has also enabled him to touch countless lives in Edo Central, engage in awesome community development and transformation, as well as construct lasting positive legacies. He was one-time Chairman of the Edo State Library Board during the administration of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion.
He was also a member of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) under the administration of former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole. He was also a one-time Esan South East Local Government council chairman. He also served as a Commissioner for Minerals, Oil, and Gas during the first tenure of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.
