Stakeholders in Oshimili under the aegis of Concerned Oshimili Northerners for Good Governance and Representation have thrown their weight behind the aspiration of the immediate past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, for the 2027 election.
The group described Elumelu’s inclusive engagement with stakeholders across Oshimili North as a clear demonstration of his readiness and capacity to work with all segments of society in moving the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency forward at the House of Representatives.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, May 7, 2026, and made available to journalists in Akwukwu-Igbo, the headquarters of Oshimili North Local Government Area.
The group, in the statement, condemned what it described as divisive narratives contained in a recent publication authored by Maxwell Chiejina Ajufo and titled, “Ndudi Elumelu: The Man Who Fights Equity Everywhere He Goes,” saying the publication was an attempt to polarize and create unnecessary divisions among the people of Oshimili North instead of promoting the collective interest of the local government area.
The stakeholders cautioned that rather than resorting to negative narratives and blackmail, individuals aspiring to elective offices should emulate Elumelu by presenting their records of performance, achievements, and the value they intend to bring to the people if elected.
The statement reads:
We, the Concerned Oshimili Northerners for Good Governance and Representation, have found it necessary to respond to the recent publication authored by one Maxwell Chiejina Ajufo and titled, “Ndudi Elumelu: The Man Who Fights Equity Everywhere He Goes.”
Ordinarily, political opinions and differing viewpoints are normal features of democracy and should be tolerated in every civilized political environment. However, when propaganda is deliberately packaged as truth and presented in a manner capable of creating division, resentment, and distrust among peaceful communities, it becomes necessary to separate facts from fiction and maturity from manipulation.
The said publication is clearly a calculated attempt to distort political realities, manipulate public sentiments, and unjustly demonize the immediate past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu.
At the centre of the publication lies a dangerous attempt to portray every political interaction involving Rt. Hon. Elumelu as a grand conspiracy against equity. Such a narrative is not only intellectually dishonest but also politically irresponsible and capable of inflaming unnecessary tensions within Oshimili North and the wider Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency.
Politics in every democratic society is built on consultations, alliances, negotiations, participation, and support for preferred candidates. These are legitimate democratic activities and should not be falsely portrayed as acts of conquest or oppression simply because certain individuals are uncomfortable with prevailing political realities.
It is therefore reckless and misleading to suggest that Rt. Hon. Elumelu “abandoned his constituency” or “crossed into Oshimili North to impose leadership” merely because he attended meetings or interacted with political stakeholders across the constituency. Such exaggerated claims are clearly intended to incite sentiments and create hostility among brothers and communities that have coexisted peacefully for decades.
The truth remains that no politician, regardless of status or influence, possesses the constitutional authority to impose a representative on the people against their collective will. Delegates and voters still reserve the right to make political choices freely based on competence, conviction, relationships, acceptability, performance, and personal conscience.
Political engagement in a democratic society should not be deliberately misrepresented as oppression simply because political leaders associate with candidates, participate in consultations, or openly support individuals they believe possess the experience and capacity to serve the people effectively.
Unfortunately, rather than engaging in issue-based politics, the writer chose to embrace emotional blackmail, sectional sentiments, and divisive rhetoric aimed at portraying Rt. Hon. Elumelu as an enemy of Oshimili North. Such dangerous political messaging contributes nothing to democratic development except bitterness, suspicion, and avoidable tension among the people.
It is equally important to state clearly that Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu neither created the historical political arrangements in Delta State nor singlehandedly determined past electoral outcomes within constituencies. Political evolution across Delta State has always involved party structures, stakeholder consensus, grassroots mobilization, alliances, negotiations, and democratic contests involving several actors and interests.
Attempting to reduce decades of political developments into an emotionally charged accusation against one individual is both dishonest and misleading.
Even more unfortunate is the repeated attempt to describe Rt. Hon. Elumelu as an “outsider” in matters concerning Oshimili North politics. Politics within the federal constituency has always thrived on collaboration, consultations, and cross-community engagements among leaders and stakeholders across different local government areas. Political relationships are not crimes, neither are they acts of territorial invasion as some desperate individuals now seek to portray them.
The attempt to create fear by suggesting that one man alone controls the political destiny of an entire local government is nothing more than exaggerated political storytelling carefully designed to provoke emotional reactions ahead of political contests.
Over the years, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has demonstrated visible commitment to youth empowerment, educational support, mentorship, community assistance, peacebuilding, and democratic participation across several communities within Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency. His accessibility, political engagements, and inclusive consultations have positively impacted numerous families, party members, youths, and stakeholders beyond narrow sectional interests.
This explains why many stakeholders across Oshimili North and the wider federal constituency continue to identify with his leadership style and political engagements. His willingness to consult widely and interact with different segments of society reflects political maturity, inclusiveness, and a readiness to work with all stakeholders for the progress of the constituency.
To suddenly describe such a leader as someone who “fights equity everywhere he goes” merely because he associates with political allies or participates in consultations only exposes the desperation behind the smear campaign.
More troubling is the subtle attempt to emotionally divide Oshimili North people into opposing camps while presenting politics as warfare between communities. This is dangerous, unnecessary, and unacceptable.
Politics should never be allowed to destroy the long-standing bonds of brotherhood, peaceful coexistence, and mutual respect among communities and families. Political ambitions and electoral contests must not become instruments for spreading bitterness, resentment, hostility, or division among people who will continue to coexist long after elections have come and gone.
Those who genuinely believe in their popularity and acceptance should focus on presenting their ideas, achievements, competence, vision, and capacity to the people instead of resorting to propaganda, blackmail, and inflammatory rhetoric targeted at political opponents.
Democracy flourishes when political actors compete on ideas, performance, credibility, and service delivery, not on bitterness, manipulation, and the deliberate exploitation of emotions.
Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has never publicly advocated violence, intimidation, suppression of votes, or denial of constitutional rights to any group or individual. Associating with political candidates does not amount to imposing leadership, just as attending meetings does not translate into controlling the conscience of delegates or voters.
Ultimately, the future of Oshimili North, Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, and Delta State politics in general must be built on political maturity, peaceful participation, democratic engagement, accountability, and unity, not on inflammatory narratives deliberately designed to exploit emotions for temporary political advantage.
History will always honour leaders who build bridges of understanding, inclusion, consultation, and development, not those who seek to profit from division, resentment, and propaganda.
Signed:
Concerned Oshimili Northerners for Good Governance and Representation
