Opinion: Isoko At A Crossroads: A People Without A Voice, A Nation Without A Clear Leader

EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE UP: ISOKO AT A CROSSROADS: A PEOPLE WITHOUT A VOICE, A NATION WITHOUT A CLEAR LEADER

By: Prince Amour, Bolowei 1 GBURUGBURU! (INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST).

The question that must be asked loudly, boldly, and without fear is this: what has become of Isoko nation? Where is the unity, the shared purpose, the love, and the collective strength that once defined us as a people? Where is that singular voice that commanded respect and gave direction? Today, what we see instead is confusion, division, and a troubling absence of credible leadership……..

These photographs were taken by me in 2006, during my time as a reporter with the now-defunct NIGER DELTA STANDARD newspapers, where I served as the Asaba Bureau Chief and Government House Correspondent, Asaba……

At that time, many of those who are today jumping up and down on social media were still in their formative years, some in crèches, primary or secondary schools and others not even born. That era, however, was not defined by noise, but by substance by men whose presence alone brought order, direction, and dignity to Isoko nation…….

Before going further, it is only right to honour those great figures whose legacies still echo in our collective memory: Ekpre Otobo, Tom Egbuwoku, S.O. Akpotu, Y.D. Igbrude, Paul Ufuoma Omu, Gregory Akpojene, A.P.J. Okpakpor, and Spanner Okpozo. These were men of influence, discipline, and vision, men who understood leadership as service, not self-enrichment. May their souls continue to rest in peace…….

Now, to the heart of the matter: WHO LEADS ISOKO TODAY? Not in name, not by self proclamation, but in truth and in action. Who is that one individual with the capacity, the credibility, and the selflessness to unite Isoko under a common purpose? Who can rise above petty interests and speak genuinely for the collective good of the people?…….

What we have today is a troubling reality where leadership has been reduced to a title that anyone can claim. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry now parades himself as a leader, yet when it truly matters, there is no one strong enough, trusted enough, or selfless enough to rally the people. This is not leadership, it is confusion dressed in empty titles…….

When critical moments arise, who speaks for Isoko? Who stands firm without compromise? Who puts the people above personal gain? These questions remain unanswered, and that silence is both dangerous and telling……..

Even more disturbing is the division among those who are supposed to guide the people. Instead of unity, we see rivalry. Instead of collective interest, we see personal agendas. It has become a case of “my group versus yours,” where progress is sacrificed on the altar of selfish ambition……..

You will agree with me that, this fragmentation will continue to weaken the very foundation of Isoko nation…….

Our traditional rulers, who ought to be symbols of unity, wisdom, and moral authority, have not been spared from this decline. Rather than serving as neutral fathers of the land, bringing people together and guiding with integrity, many have become deeply entangled in material pursuits and political alignments…….

The sacred responsibility of preserving the dignity of the land is gradually being overshadowed by the pursuit of personal benefits and social relevance. This is not only disappointing; it is deeply troubling…….

A situation where our traditional rulers abandoned their roles to be sharing and receiving monthly oil money alerts, moving from one event to another, birthdays, burials, baby naming ceremonies, weddings, house warmings, outing services, and political gatherings both within and outside Isoko nation, running after little children with ill-gotten wealth, what a big shame and disgrace…….

I recall vividly my early days in journalism around 2001, working with Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS Asaba) while also contributing to the Urhobo Voice newspapers under the pen name “Richard Omohode.” The newspaper’s enduring motto, “If you don’t fight your fight, who will?” was not just a slogan; it was a call to responsibility. It instilled in me a deep sense of duty, a belief that no people can afford to abandon their own cause and expect others to defend it for them………

That message remains as relevant today as it was then. If Isoko people do not rise to defend their unity, protect their interests, and demand accountable leadership, no one else will do it for them…….

The responsibility lies squarely with us. The political reality before us is clear, Isoko is divided and history has shown time and again that any people divided against themselves cannot stand. Today, there is no universally accepted leader, no rallying point, no central voice. Every attempt at leadership is met with resistance, suspicion, or outright rejection, largely because trust has been eroded by years of selfish conduct and competing interests…….

Where are the strong, principled figures of the past? Where are the Otobos, the Okpozos, the Egbuwokus etc, men who commanded respect not by force, but by character and integrity? Where are those who placed the people above themselves and saw leadership as a burden of service rather than an opportunity for gain?……

As we move closer to another critical political cycle that will shape the future of Isoko nation, especially 2031, one thing is certain, we cannot continue on this path. The cost of disunity is too high, and the consequences of continued division will only deepen our challenges…….

This is the moment for reflection. This is the time to return to the drawing board. This is the hour to rebuild trust, restore unity, and rediscover a common purpose. Isoko must rise above internal sabotage, betrayal, and unnecessary rivalry. We must reject the habit of undermining one another and instead embrace collective progress……..

The future of Isoko nation cannot and must not be sacrificed on the altar of greed, ego, and short sighted ambition. If we truly desire progress, then unity is not optional, it is essential. If we truly seek relevance, then we must speak with one voice. And if we truly honour the legacy of those who came before us, then we must do better much better and the time to act is now……..