Oleh – A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State and Delta South Senatorial aspirant, Honourable Prince Barney Akporehe, has called on the people of Delta South Senatorial District to replace the incumbent Senator and the member representing Isoko North/South Federal Constituency, in the 2027 general elections.

Prince Akporehe, who is eyeing the Delta South Senatorial seat, made the call while addressing concerns over the performance of the two lawmakers since their election in 2023.

He faulted what he described as premature victory declarations by the incumbents, particularly the planned rally at Oleh Township Stadium by the current senator tomorrow.

“The current Delta South senator should first win the party primaries before using the party machinery to declare victory at Oleh Township Stadium, and not prior to the primaries,” Akporehe said.

The APC leader urged his supporters not to attend such rallies, describing them as undemocratic.

“I am urging all my supporters not to attend such rallies because it is not democratic. We strongly believe in the principles of democracy and not dictatorship or tyranny,” he stated.

Honourable Akporehe questioned the developmental strides of the incumbent senator across the ethnic nationalities in Delta South, which include the Isoko, Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo nations.

“As a stakeholder in Delta South, I cannot, for a fact, say x, y, z was done by the current senator. Correct me if I am mistaken on the development brought by our most distinguished senator to the Isoko Nation, Ijaw Nation, Itsekiri Nation or the Urhobo Nation, who are parts and parcel of the resources of Delta South,” he challenged.

He stressed that leadership must be judged by visible achievements, adding that “leadership is not by deceit; it is by seeing is believing.”

The aspirant lamented the persistent poor electricity supply in Isoko land, describing it as unacceptable in 2026.

“Isoko needs light; it is not supposed to be a millennium problem. It should have been resolved years ago. Isoko youths should be looking forward to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and not basic electricity. What a shame in 2026,” Akporehe said.

He added that many support groups, including the Barney Support Group and IVAN, have been reaching out to him to contest again, citing the failure of the 2023 representatives to deliver on their mandate.

“Gone are the days of monkey work, baboon dey chop. If you must return, then you must work and we the people must see your handwork so we can ask God to bless the work of your hands,” he declared.

Prince Akporehe argued that re-electing the incumbents would amount to repeating past mistakes.

“There are so many individuals and groups who have reached out to me because those chosen in 2023 have failed the people… This begs the question: re-elect them to go and do what? Fail again or continue with their plan to deplete our common wealth and render us underdeveloped? No, we cannot be driven twice into the same ditch,” he said.

He suggested that the incumbents should retire honourably, noting that while they may have done their best, “their best wasn’t good enough.”

“Isoko needs more of the Renewed Hope agenda and we don’t see Isoko getting it with these two individuals currently representing us. I personally think they do not know what they are doing there. Maybe na cinema dem go watch for the green and red chambers respectively,” Akporehe added.

He, however, said he is yet to take a final decision on contesting the senatorial seat but would support a credible candidate committed to genuine development.

“If we do not contest, then we must support someone doing so, and we are yet to see that someone. We hope we do not find that someone to support in another political party,” he noted.

Prince Akporehe maintained that the era of automatic return for non-performing lawmakers is over, urging the people of Delta South to demand accountability and tangible development from their representatives.