Johnny slams Orubebe for 'lies' against Joel-Onowakpo

High Chief Michael Johnny has publicly refuted claims made by Elder Godsday Orubebe against Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, describing the former Minister’s recent comments as “falsehoods unbecoming of a church leader.”  

In a video statement released Sunday, Johnny said he was compelled to respond because he was “directly involved from the beginning to where God gave us victory” in the Delta South Senatorial District election.  

“I ordinarily would not have responded to Elder Orubebe,” Johnny said. “But I am in a better position to set the records straight.”

Johnny questioned Orubebe’s appointment as Director General D.G of the APC campaign in Delta State during the 2023 elections.  

“When we saw that announcement, we as Ijaw people who know each other’s character were surprised,” he said. “None of us was considered, yet Ovie Omo-Agege found Orubebe worthy. The rest is history.”

Addressing Orubebe’s allegation that Senator Joel-Onowakpo is “a failure,” Johnny accused the elder statesman of misrepresenting events from the campaign trail.  

According to Johnny, Orubebe did not follow Joel-Onowakpo to any community campaigns. The only joint outing, he said, was a trip to Orubebe’s hometown after the former minister appealed to the Senator for support.  

“Sen. Joel called me that day and said Elder Orubebe asked him to follow him home because the people were angry,” Johnny recounted. “We agreed to go. We accompanied him briefly, and he dropped money for the people - between ₦500,000 to ₦1 million. That was the only place.”  

Johnny dismissed claims that the campaign team distributed cash indiscriminately. “There was no place in all the communities we campaigned where we dropped less than ₦500,000 to ₦1 million. I was surprised a man of God would go on live TV to lie against his fellow man just because he wants to contest for governor in 2031.”  

Johnny further challenged Orubebe’s legacy as a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs under President Goodluck Jonathan.  

“During all our campaigns, he could not point to a single project in any of the communities we visited,” Johnny said. “We went to Burutu - he could not hold the microphone. He had even nothing to show as his legacy. Not even in Ogulagha, not in Opuama. Nothing.”  

He added that he often had to speak on Orubebe’s behalf during rallies because the former minister “had no projects to showcase to the people.”  

Johnny also blamed Orubebe for disunity in Delta South politics, alleging that the former minister introduced “divide and rule” tactics after the APC primary.  

“After the primary, when he came in, that was when he brought the system of divide and rule,” Johnny said. “He wanted to recruit me, thinking I was still fighting my brothers in Gbaramatu. I’m too clever for that. I fight alone when I know you have no real interest.”  

He argued that Orubebe’s approach cost the party key representation when APC leaders visited former President Goodluck Jonathan. “Because of the divide and rule, we could not present a united front.”  

Johnny also faulted Orubebe for Burutu LGA’s failure to be split into additional councils despite its population.  

“Burutu is one of the most populated LGAs in Delta State. It should have been split into three or four LGAs,” he said. “But during his time as local government chairman, he refused. That decision is part of the disaster and disunity we face today.”  

Attempts to reach Elder Godsday Orubebe for comment were unsuccessful as of press time. Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has not publicly responded to the original allegation.