Isoko-Nation Progressive Like- Minds (INPLM) is a dynamic political pressure group dedicated to advancing the interests and welfare of the Isoko Ethnic Nationality. The group is focused on identifying and supporting political candidates who will prioritise the needs, aspirations, and development of the Isoko people. With a deep commitment to unity and progress, INPLM seeks to empower individuals who hold the Isoko nation at heart, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed in the political arena. The group strongly believes in collective action, with the motto “With You Plus Me, Isoko Nation Will Succeed,” reflecting its core values of collaboration, solidarity, and forward-thinking leadership. Through strategic advocacy, partnership, and community engagement, INPLM strives to build a brighter future for the Isoko nation and its people.
Isoko Nation, located in the heart of Delta State, Nigeria, has long been known for its rich cultural heritage, deep-rooted agricultural economy and heavily endowed with crude oil deposit, contributing highly to the country’s GDP. However, as the political and social landscape of Nigeria evolves, a new force is emerging from within the Isoko community—a politically active, Isoko Nation Progressive Like-Minds pressure group led by Comrade Ilaya Efemena Beckly and other progressive like-minded individuals from Isoko nation determined to advance the interests of the Isoko people on both local and national stages. This group is positioned to play a transformative role in the political discourse of Nigeria, advocating for social justice, economic empowerment, and regional development.
The Need for a Political Pressure Group
For decades, the Isoko region, despite its natural resources, strategic location, and industrious population, has faced political marginalisation and underrepresentation in state and national affairs. While the Isoko people have long participated in Nigeria’s political processes, they have often been overshadowed by other ethnic groups, leaving Isoko’s political concerns under-addressed. A new wave of politically conscious Isoko youths and seasoned leaders has realised that the only way to bring about lasting change is through a decisive, collective and organised political action.
This realisation has led to the formation of Isoko-Nation Progressive Like-Minds within Isoko, which aim to address the systemic challenges faced by the region. These group is characterised by her shared commitment to creating a political movement that champions the rights and development of Isoko, while also engaging in the broader political discourse of Delta State and Nigeria.
Core Objectives of Isoko-Nation Progressive Like-Minds
Isoko-nation progressive Like-Minds political pressure group emerging in Isoko Nation has several key objectives:
1. Advocacy for Political Representation
A major goal of the Isoko-Nation Progressive Like-Minds is to increase political representation for the Isoko people in both state and national legislative bodies. Historically, the Isoko community has been underrepresented in political offices that have the power to make decisions on crucial issues affecting the region. The group aims to lobby for a fairer distribution of political power, ensuring that Isoko voices are heard in local governance, the state assembly, and the national parliament. This includes pushing for the election of Isoko politicians to higher offices who are deeply committed to advocating for the region’s development.
2. Economic Empowerment and Resource Management
Isoko Nation is rich in natural resources, including oil, agricultural land, and fisheries. Yet, these resources have not been fully harnessed for the benefit of the local people. Isoko Nation Progressive Like-Minds would push for better resource management policies that ensure the Isoko people have greater control over their land and resources. Moreover, they would work towards the implementation of policies that encourage local entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, and job creation within Isoko, thereby reducing the region’s reliance on external factors.
3. Social Justice and Equity
The group is committed to addressing socio-economic inequalities within the Isoko Nation. Key areas of focus include equitable access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure, as well as combating the poverty that affects many Isoko families. This would involve advocating for government investments in social services, creating programmes for youth empowerment, and ensuring the fair distribution of resources across all parts of the region.
4. Cultural Preservation and Promotion
While the political focus of the group is on contemporary issues, they are equally committed to the preservation of Isoko’s cultural heritage. The pressure group advocates for the protection of Isoko traditions, languages, and arts, ensuring that they are passed down to future generations. Additionally, they aim to promote Isoko culture on the global stage, using cultural diplomacy to elevate the region’s identity and attract investment and attention from international stakeholders.
5. Good Governance and Accountability
A key pillar of the Isoko Nation Progressive Like-Minds is the demand for better governance. Corruption and mismanagement in the region have long been challenges, and the pressure group seeks to hold leaders accountable for their actions. This includes pushing for transparency, the rule of law, and the fair allocation of resources. By promoting good governance, the group aims to create an environment where development can thrive, and the interests of the people are placed at the forefront.
Strategic Political Action
The Isoko Nation Progressive Like-Minds group is not just an idealistic movement; it is focused on strategic political action designed to make a tangible impact. These efforts include:
Mobilising the Youth Vote: One of the defining features of this movement is its focus on youth empowerment. Isoko youths, especially those who are educated and politically aware, are seen as a vital force for change. The pressure group works to engage these young people in the political process, encouraging them to vote, run for office, and become active in governance.
Creating Alliances: Recognising the power of coalition politics, the Isoko Progressive Like-Minds aims to build strategic alliances with other regional and national pressure groups, ensuring that their concerns are represented within larger political movements. These alliances allow the Isoko nation to broaden its reach, gaining the attention of national political leaders and policy makers.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Effective communication is key to advancing any political agenda. The progressive group uses media outlets, social media platforms, and grassroots outreach to inform the public about Isoko nation’s challenges and to promote policies that would address these issues. Public engagement efforts also focus on educating the Isoko people about their rights and the political processes that affect their lives.
Legal Advocacy: In some cases, the Isoko Nation Progressive Like-Minds group seeks to challenge policies or actions that harm the region’s interests in court. Legal avenues are explored to address issues such as land grabs, environmental degradation, or discrimination in the allocation of resources.
Challenges and Opportunities
Like any political movement, the Isoko Progressive Like-Minds group faces its share of challenges. These include entrenched political elites, competing interests from other ethnic groups, and the difficulty of uniting diverse factions within Isoko itself. However, the group’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and development presents an opportunity for genuine change.
By presenting itself as a well-organised, thoughtful, and strategically focused movement, the Isoko Progressive Like-Minds group has the potential to create a political platform that transcends regional interests and speaks to broader national concerns, such as good governance, sustainable development, and social justice. The group can inspire other ethnic communities in Nigeria to follow suit and create similar movements that push for a more equitable and prosperous Future.
The emergence of Isoko-Nation Progressive Like-Minds political pressure group from Isoko Nation signals a new chapter in the region’s political evolution. Through advocacy, strategic action, and collective commitment, this movement is poised to not only secure the political rights of the Isoko people but also to contribute meaningfully to the development of Delta State and Nigeria as a whole. With a vision grounded in equity, empowerment, and good governance, the Isoko Progressive group is leading the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future, one where the voice of the Isoko Nation is firmly planted on the national and international political stage.
Comrade Ilaya Efemena Beckly
Founder/President
Isoko-Nation Progressive Like-Minds
