{"id":5597,"date":"2026-05-17T17:04:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T17:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/05\/17\/delta-south-apc-primaries-chief-michael-johnny-rallies-massive-support-for-joel-thomas-onowakpors-senate-re-election-bid\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T17:04:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T17:04:21","slug":"delta-south-apc-primaries-chief-michael-johnny-rallies-massive-support-for-joel-thomas-onowakpors-senate-re-election-bid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/05\/17\/delta-south-apc-primaries-chief-michael-johnny-rallies-massive-support-for-joel-thomas-onowakpors-senate-re-election-bid\/","title":{"rendered":"DELTA SOUTH APC PRIMARIES: Chief Michael Johnny Rallies Massive Support For Joel Thomas Onowakpor\u2019s Senate Re-Election Bid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By Freeborn Abraye<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prominent APC leader in Delta State and respected political figure, Chief Michael Johnny, has called on party faithful across the eight local government areas of Delta South Senatorial District to come out in large numbers tomorrow and vote massively for Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (JOT) in the APC senatorial primary election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chief Johnny, widely regarded as a leader per excellence within the APC, described the primary election as a critical moment that will determine the political stability, unity, and future direction of Delta South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to him, Delta South needs a detribalized leader with the capacity to unite people beyond ethnic sentiments and political divisions. He warned against leaders whose style of politics promotes ethnic division and unnecessary tension within the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chief Johnny stated that Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has continued to distinguish himself as a leader who carries everyone along, irrespective of tribe, political background, or local government affiliation. He noted that JOT\u2019s leadership style has strengthened cooperation, peace, fairness, and political inclusion across Delta South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking further, Chief Johnny declared that the Ijaw people have resolved to stand firmly behind Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas because fairness, justice, and political balance must prevail in Delta South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs Ijaw people, we have decided to support Senator Joel because this is the turn of the Isoko nation, and Ijaw stands for truth. That is our position,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also appreciated what he described as \u201cgenuine Itsekiri sons and daughters\u201d who believe in fairness, equity, and peaceful coexistence, adding that Delta South can only move forward when the various ethnic nationalities work together in unity and mutual respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chief Johnny maintained that the senatorial district must not be dragged backward by divisive politics or ethnic interests capable of weakening the collective strength of the region. He stressed that all APC members in Delta South must remain united in their support for Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDelta South is bigger than personal interests. This election is about unity, stability, fairness, and the future of our people. Senator JOT represents continuity, experience, and inclusive leadership for all ethnic groups in Delta South,\u201d Chief Johnny added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Freeborn Abraye Prominent APC leader in Delta State and respected political figure, Chief Michael&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5596,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"DELTA SOUTH APC PRIMARIES: Chief Michael Johnny Rallies Massive Support For Joel Thomas Onowakpor\u2019s Senate Re-Election Bid","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img_1520.jpg?fit=975%2C581&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5521,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/05\/01\/2027-pondi-otuaro-guwor-other-delta-south-stakeholders-endorse-senator-joel-onowakpo-for-second-term\/","url_meta":{"origin":5597,"position":0},"title":"2027: Pondi, Otuaro, Guwor, Other Delta South Stakeholders, Endorse Senator Joel-Onowakpo For Second Term","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"May 1, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, was among key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, Delta South Senatorial District, who, on Friday, endorsed the senator representing the district, Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, for a second term in the 2027 general elections. They expressed their\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Politics&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img_1091.jpg?fit=926%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img_1091.jpg?fit=926%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img_1091.jpg?fit=926%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/img_1091.jpg?fit=926%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5507,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/04\/19\/ibe-pinamowei-of-ancient-gbaramatu-kingdom-chief-michael-johnny-expresses-full-support-for-delta-assembly-speaker-emomotimi-guwors-third-term-bid-charge-itsekiris-to-embrace-truth\/","url_meta":{"origin":5597,"position":1},"title":"2027: Ibe-Pinamowei Of Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Michael Johnny Expresses Full Support For Delta Assembly Speaker Emomotimi Guwor\u2019s Third Term Bid, Charge Itsekiris To Embrace Truth","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"April 19, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye As the season of politicking gathers steam ahead the 2027 general elections, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party in Delta State, High Chief Michael Johnny, has challenged politicians in the state, especially those within the fold of the Ijaw and the Itsekiri ethnic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/img_0919.jpg?fit=1200%2C725&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/img_0919.jpg?fit=1200%2C725&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/img_0919.jpg?fit=1200%2C725&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/img_0919.jpg?fit=1200%2C725&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/img_0919.jpg?fit=1200%2C725&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2759,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2024\/07\/13\/delta-apc-protests-boycotts-lga-elections-in-warri-south-ughelli-north__says-pdp-dominated-dsiec-cant-conduct-credible-election\/","url_meta":{"origin":5597,"position":2},"title":"Delta APC Protests, Boycotts LGA Elections In Warri South, Ughelli North__Says PDP Dominated DSIEC Can\u2019t Conduct Credible Election","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 13, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"By Blessing Ebareotu Citing anomalies and prejudice by the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Warri South Local Government Area has opted out of the LGA election. The decision was made public by APC Chairman in Warri South, Mr. Mario Owumi, who declared,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Politics&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/img_5177-1.jpg?fit=640%2C385&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/img_5177-1.jpg?fit=640%2C385&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/img_5177-1.jpg?fit=640%2C385&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":564,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2021\/09\/27\/delta-2023-olu-of-warri-prays-for-rancour-free-process-to-produce-okowas-successor\/","url_meta":{"origin":5597,"position":3},"title":"DELTA 2023: Olu Of Warri Prays For Rancour, Free Process To Produce Okowa\u2019s Successor","author":"Coastal Times","date":"September 27, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Coastal News Atuwatse III, Olu Of Warri. The Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Omoba Tsola Emiko, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has prayed to\u00a0God for a rancour process that would produce the successor of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in 2023. The Monarch who offered the prayer when\u00a0leaders and members of the\u00a0Delta Central 2023,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Opinion&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/opinion\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/screenshot_20210927-174413_wordpress-1.jpg?fit=870%2C762&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/screenshot_20210927-174413_wordpress-1.jpg?fit=870%2C762&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/screenshot_20210927-174413_wordpress-1.jpg?fit=870%2C762&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/screenshot_20210927-174413_wordpress-1.jpg?fit=870%2C762&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4613,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/11\/michael-johnny-to-ayiri-leave-inec-alone-ijaws-are-majority-in-warri-federal-constituency\/","url_meta":{"origin":5597,"position":4},"title":"Michael Johnny To Ayiri: Leave INEC Alone, Ijaws Are Majority In Warri Federal Constituency","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye \u2014Urges Stakeholders to Focus on Development, Not Ethnic Division High Chief Michael Johnny, Agadiwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Ijaw Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State, and former Chairman of the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF), has refuted allegations by Chief Ayiri Emami against the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1829-1.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1829-1.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1829-1.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1829-1.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1829-1.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4614,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/11\/michael-johnny-to-ayiri-leave-inec-alone-ijaws-are-majority-in-warri-federal-constituency-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":5597,"position":5},"title":"Michael Johnny To Ayiri: Leave INEC Alone, Ijaws Are Majority In Warri Federal Constituency","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye \u2014Urges Stakeholders to Focus on Development, Not Ethnic Division High Chief Michael Johnny, Agadiwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Ijaw Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State, and former Chairman of the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation (EGCDF), has refuted allegations by Chief Ayiri Emami against the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1831-2-1.jpg?fit=962%2C708&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1831-2-1.jpg?fit=962%2C708&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1831-2-1.jpg?fit=962%2C708&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1831-2-1.jpg?fit=962%2C708&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 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