Purported Endorsement of Nicholas Mutu for 8th Term by Patani People, Laughable , Handiwork of Charlatans, Spits Patani APC Stalwart, Ebideseighabofa

An All Progressives Congress ( APC) stalwart in Patani Local Government Area, Dr Ebidiseighabofa Orodu, has denounced the recent purported endorsement of Hon Nicholas Mutu for an unprecedented 8th term in office by Patani people as aired on ARISE TV News, describing the perpetrators as "political charlatans".

Dr Orodu, stated that such misguided claims do not reflect the broader public mood, prevailing grassroots sentiment, or the realities currently being expressed across the Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency .

In a statement titled "PUBLIC CLARIFICATION ON RECENT CLAIMS OF ENDORSEMENT OF NICHOLAS MUTU BY SOME CHARLATANS FROM PATANI LGA AS AIRED ON ARISE TV", the Patani APC stalwart reiterated that "many stakeholders, youths , opinion leaders and concerned citizens within Patani and beyond , have consistently advocated for fairness , equity and inclusive democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections . The growing call for leadership renewal and rotational representation cannot therefore be reduced to the views or political positions of a few individuals appearing in the media".

The Patani APC stalwart , further lending credibility concerns over the ARISE TV News broadcast of the illegal endorsement , wondered why the self acclaimed political jobbers did their so called "endorsement" of Hon Nicholas Mutu , at Ughelli , instead of at Patani , an action he described as "clear evidence that these people are political charlatans without home support".

Dr Ebideseighabofa Orodu's statement reads :

*PUBLIC CLARIFICATION ON RECENT CLAIMS OF ENDORSEMENT OF NICHOLAS MUTU BY SOME CHARLATANS FROM PATANI LGA AS AIRED IN ARISE TV ON*

Recent media appearances by certain individuals on ARISE News claiming that the people of Patani Local Government Area of Delta State have endorsed Honourable Nicholas Mutu for another term in the House of Representatives have generated widespread concern and reactions across the Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency.

It is important to respectfully state that such claims do not appear to reflect the broader public mood, prevailing grassroots sentiment, or the realities currently being expressed across the constituency. Many stakeholders, youths, opinion leaders, and concerned citizens within Patani and beyond have consistently advocated for fairness, equity, and inclusive democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections. The growing call for leadership renewal and rotational representation cannot therefore be reduced to the views or political positions of a few individuals appearing in the media.

Democracy derives its legitimacy from the collective will of the people, not from selective endorsements or elite political alignments that may not accurately capture the aspirations of the wider population. At a time when there is increasing public demand for broader participation and new leadership opportunities within the constituency, it is important that all stakeholders exercise caution in making sweeping claims capable of creating a false impression of consensus.

The concerns being raised by citizens are not personal attacks against any individual. Rather, they are rooted in broader questions about representation, development, accountability, and the long-term democratic health of the constituency. Across many communities within Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency, there is a growing perception that nearly three decades of uninterrupted representation have not translated into the level of visible federal presence, infrastructure, or transformative development expected by the people.

Particular concern continues to surround vulnerable communities such as Akugbene where Mutu comes from, which has for years faced serious environmental and coastal erosion challenges. Many citizens believe that such longstanding ecological threats deserved stronger federal attention and intervention over the years, especially considering the strategic influence associated with prolonged representation at the national level.

The increasing agitation across the constituency is therefore best understood as a call for democratic renewal, inclusion, and measurable representation. Citizens are demanding leadership that is visible, accessible, impactful, and responsive to the developmental realities of the people.

As the 2027 elections approach, political actors and stakeholders must prioritize the collective interest of the constituency above narrow personal or political considerations. Attempts to project isolated endorsements as the unified position of the people risk deepening political distrust and widening the disconnect between leadership narratives and grassroots realities.

The people of Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency deserve a democratic process that is open, fair, inclusive, and reflective of the true aspirations of the electorate. Ultimately, it is the voice of the people, not selective political pronouncements, that should determine the future direction of the constituency.

Dr. Ebidiseighabofa Orodu,

Patani APC Stalwart