Isoko Traditional Rulers Divided Over Alleged N250m Chieftaincy Offer to Senatorial Aspirant

Traditional rulers in Isoko land, Delta State, are reportedly at odds over an alleged N250 million offer made by a Delta South senatorial aspirant seeking the conferment of a chieftaincy title ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to sources, the aspirant is said to have made the offer in a bid to secure endorsements and bolster his political standing, claiming he had never previously been conferred with any traditional title.

However, the reported move has sparked sharp divisions among the monarchs. While some traditional rulers are said to have rejected the offer outright, describing it as a “Greek gift,” others are allegedly considering it.

A traditional ruler, who spoke on condition of anonymity, questioned the timing and intent of the offer, noting that chieftaincy titles are typically awarded based on merit and service rather than financial inducement.

“You are offering such a huge amount at the eleventh hour, whereas ordinarily, such recognition should come freely in appreciation of one’s performance in office,” the source said.

Amid the controversy, there are indications that intense lobbying efforts are underway to persuade dissenting monarchs to support the conferment of the title.

Isoko land comprises 17 autonomous clans, each vested with the authority to confer chieftaincy titles on deserving individuals, making consensus among traditional rulers crucial in such matters.

The development comes shortly after Joel Onowakpo Thomas, who represents Delta South Senatorial District, hosted a gathering of traditional rulers, political stakeholders, and members of the Isoko Development Union (IDU) at his country home in Emede, Isoko South Local Government Area. The meeting culminated in an endorsement for his second-term bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement, however, has reportedly drawn criticism from sections of Delta South, particularly within the two local government areas in Isoko land, where some residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the process and timing.