The Isoko Integrity Forum (IIF) has strongly condemned what it described as a sustained smear campaign against the Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, , accusing unnamed political actors of orchestrating a campaign of blackmail, defamation and character assassination because of his political independence.
In a strongly worded statement jointly signed by the National Convener of the forum, Engr. Hon. Vincentino Ovie Oberebe; Secretary, Barr. Uzeizi Ududua; Publicity Secretary, Lawrence Efeturi; Isoko North Coordinator, Sagacious Owede Onaemor; and Isoko South Coordinator, Egedevo Pius, the group said the attacks against the senator were not based on any proven misconduct but were rooted in political bitterness.
According to the forum, what began as political disagreement has degenerated into what it called a reckless attempt to ridicule, stigmatise and malign the lawmaker through rumours, vulgar insinuations and outright falsehoods. It argued that the public should not be deceived into believing that the allegations circulating against the senator stem from any established wrongdoing.
The group maintained that the controversy arose because some political figures allegedly believed that having supported Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas’ emergence, he was expected to remain permanently loyal and politically answerable to them. It insisted that once the senator chose to exercise independent judgment and chart his own political course, he became the target of sustained attacks from those who interpreted his independence as betrayal.
The Isoko Integrity Forum stressed that political support does not amount to ownership, arguing that no individual or political bloc has the right to treat an elected senator as private political property. It noted that while alliances are common in politics, an elected representative’s primary responsibility remains to the people who gave him their mandate rather than to any political camp seeking to dictate his decisions.
The forum further described the ongoing attacks as an attempt to punish political independence through blackmail and organised falsehood, alleging that those behind the campaign had abandoned constructive political engagement in favour of gossip, abuse and scandalous claims intended to damage the senator’s reputation and incite public resentment against him.
It challenged anyone claiming to possess credible evidence of wrongdoing against Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas to submit such evidence to the appropriate law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies instead of resorting to social media campaigns and unsubstantiated allegations. The group argued that expecting the public to condemn an elected official without proof was both irresponsible and unfair.
The statement also expressed concern over what it described as a dangerous political mentality suggesting that Delta South should not exercise political independence. According to the forum, some of those behind the attacks appeared to believe that any senator from the district must remain under the influence of another political power centre or face political persecution. It rejected such a notion, insisting that Delta South is not the personal estate of any individual and that the mandate freely given by its people cannot be reduced to an instrument for settling political scores.
Highlighting the senator’s legislative responsibilities, the group noted that Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity. It described the appointments as strategic national assignments involving critical issues such as local participation in the oil and gas industry, labour welfare, employment generation and economic inclusion.
The forum argued that the senator should be assessed based on his legislative performance, commitment to the people of Delta South, interventions on behalf of his constituents and the seriousness with which he has discharged the mandate entrusted to him rather than on what it termed politically motivated propaganda.
While acknowledging that no public office holder is above criticism, the Isoko Integrity Forum maintained that there is a clear distinction between legitimate scrutiny and deliberate slander. It called for a political culture anchored on facts, accountability and responsible public discourse instead of malicious campaigns aimed at destroying reputations.
The statement concluded that repeated falsehoods do not become truth simply because they are amplified, urging the people of Delta South to judge Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas by verifiable facts, his record of service and his commitment to the development of the district rather than by what it described as a coordinated smear campaign.
