“DONALD PETERSON IS THE BEST FOR IKA” - CHIEF ETUMUSE DECLARES

By Ewere Okonta

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The race for the House of Representatives seat for the Ika Federal Constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress has taken a dramatic turn as renowned Ika leader, cultural advocate and American-based public affairs commentator, Chief Ika Etumuse, has openly declared his total support and endorsement for Dr Donald Peterson ahead of the party primaries.

Speaking during a telephone conversation with this writer from his American home, Chief Etumuse did not mince words as he described Dr Peterson as “the best candidate among the pack of aspirants” currently jostling for the APC ticket to represent the good people of the Ika Nation in the Green Chambers in Abuja.

And in a political environment where endorsements are often wrapped in diplomacy and cautious language, Chief Etumuse came out blazing, emphatic and unapologetic.

According to him, the time has come for Ika people to move beyond politics of deception, empty slogans and godfatherism and begin to reward competence, credibility, capacity and visible impact.

In his words, Dr Donald Peterson has already proven beyond doubt that leadership is not about occupying office but about touching lives.

The respected Igbodo-born leader pointed to the numerous humanitarian interventions and philanthropic activities carried out through the D-Peterson Foundation as practical evidence that Dr Peterson possesses the heart, vision and compassion required for effective representation.

“Donald Peterson has demonstrated uncommon capacity and a deep passion for service to humanity. If a man can touch lives this much without holding an elective office, imagine what he will do when given a national platform,” Chief Etumuse reportedly stated.

That statement has since sparked conversations across political circles in Ika Nation, especially among young people and grassroots stakeholders who believe the constituency deserves a representative with practical experience in human capital development rather than recycled political rhetoric.

Chief Etumuse further praised what he described as the “politics of empowerment and compassion” being championed by Dr Peterson, insisting that many politicians in the country must emulate that style of leadership.

For him, politics should not merely be about winning elections, occupying offices and sharing appointments among political loyalists. Rather, it should be about creating opportunities, building people, supporting widows, empowering youths, assisting students and restoring hope to struggling families.

Observers say this may be one of the strongest endorsements Dr Peterson has received so far since consultations and permutations for the 2027 political season quietly began within the APC family in Ika Nation.

In what many political watchers now describe as a direct challenge to entrenched political interests, Chief Etumuse also called for internal democracy within the APC primaries, insisting that aspirants must be evaluated based on competence and popularity instead of backdoor arrangements and godfather influence.

The outspoken social commentator declared:

“It is high time elections are conducted with democratic principles based on credibility, qualifications and capacity devoid of godfatherism.”

He also urged aspirants contesting both the Federal Constituency and State House of Assembly positions not to surrender their ambitions under pressure or settle for “cheap compensation and fake promises.”

In one of the most striking lines from his endorsement, Chief Etumuse boldly declared that:

“Original cannot be the same as imitation.”

That statement has already generated heated political interpretations across the constituency, with many interpreting it as a subtle but direct message to other aspirants in the race.

For many supporters of Dr Peterson, however, the endorsement merely reinforces what they have long argued; that the philanthropist, investor and grassroots mobiliser has organically built goodwill among the people through years of consistent intervention and personal sacrifice.

From scholarship schemes to youth support initiatives, community interventions and humanitarian outreach programmes, admirers of the D-Peterson political movement insist that his growing popularity is not manufactured but earned.

Political analysts within Ika Nation also believe the endorsement by a globally recognised Ika voice like Chief Etumuse may further strengthen Dr Peterson’s acceptability among undecided stakeholders within the APC.

Beyond politics, the endorsement appears to tap into a deeper emotional sentiment among many ordinary people who are increasingly frustrated with transactional politics and are yearning for leaders with empathy, accessibility and visible records of community impact.

As the political temperature gradually rises ahead of the APC primaries, one thing has become obvious: the Donald Peterson project is gaining momentum, attracting influential voices and igniting passionate conversations across Ika land.

And with powerful endorsements like this coming from respected sons of the soil, the battle for who eventually flies the APC flag for the Ika Federal Constituency may have just entered a completely new phase.

Ewere Okonta is the CEO of EOB Media. He is a member of #TeamPeterson