There is growing unease among constituents of Delta South Senatorial District over what many describe as the docile and passive attitude of their representative, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, in the Nigerian Senate, NewsNet Nigeria has learnt.
Elected in the 2023 general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Joel-Onowakpo was widely expected to bring vibrancy, business acumen, and proactive leadership to the Red Chamber.
However, two years into the 10th National Assembly, his constituents say his presence has hardly been felt either in legislative debates or in constituency interventions.
Residents across the district – comprising the Isoko, Itsekiri, and Ijaw ethnic nationalities – lament that their senator has not been outspoken on critical issues such as environmental degradation from oil exploration, perennial flooding, rising unemployment, and insecurity in riverine communities.
A prominent youth leader in Warri, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “Our senator seems too quiet for the critical times we are in. We voted him to be our voice in Abuja, but so far, his presence has not been felt. He must rise to the occasion and prove to the people that he truly represents us.”
A youth activist from Isoko South, who did not also want his name mentioned, said the senator’s silence is becoming worrisome.
“We did not elect him to warm the benches in Abuja. We voted for him to be our voice. The people of Delta South are facing challenges daily, yet we hardly hear him speak on the floor of the Senate or push for policies that directly affect us,” he stated.
Similarly, a women’s leader in Warri, expressed disappointment over the lack of visibility of the senator in both constituency projects and national debates.
“We expected more. After the election, people were hopeful that Joel-Onowakpo would change the narrative. But the truth is, the people are not seeing the kind of representation they deserve,” she said.
Civil society groups and opinion leaders in the district have joined in urging Senator Joel-Onowakpo to step up by sponsoring people-oriented bills, speaking more on the floor of the Senate, and attracting meaningful projects to his constituency.
They stressed that failure to deliver on campaign promises could erode public trust and weaken his political base ahead of future elections.
Political analysts, however, argue that Senator Joel-Onowakpo may be adopting a quieter approach to legislative politics, focusing on behind-the-scenes lobbying and strategic alliances.
Nonetheless, they admit that in a political climate where visibility and vocal advocacy matter greatly, his silence could be misconstrued as inactivity.
With the 10th National Assembly now in full swing, constituents of Delta South insist that Senator Joel-Onowakpo must step up his engagement, both in Abuja and at the grassroots, to justify the mandate given to him in the 2023 elections.
As the 10th Senate enters a crucial phase of legislative business, all eyes remain on Senator Joel-Onowakpo to demonstrate vibrancy and deliver on the promises made during his campaign.
Efforts by this medium to obtain Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas’s mobile contact for his response were unsuccessful.
