.….Analysis by Awo Whiskeys is malicious, false
By Jacob Idoko
When facts are maliciously distorted to prove a falsity, it goes to portray the figment of imagination of naysayers who do not see any good even when it becomes obvious.
The fact is that what is good is good, and no amount of denigration can turn it bad. The antecedents of a good man do not necessarily begin with a political quest, but in what such a man is able to impact over the years.
This is the situation with Chief Patrick Ojechema Idoko, who today aspires to represent the people of Benue South in the Nigerian Senate. A globally trained geoscientist and reservoir geophysicist manager who took early retirement as Manager, Project Management at TotalEnergies Nigeria Limited in March 2023, Idoko’s 25-year career spanned Nigeria and France as an international staff of TotalEnergies, including Shell, Schlumberger, and TotalEnergies HQ in Paris.
It is on this accumulated experience that the mogul wants to represent the people of the Benue South Senatorial District with a vision to ensure total enterprise opportunities, rural and urban transformation, as well as youth empowerment, and foster justice for all constituents.
It is therefore imperative to state that no amount of diatribe or malicious analysis from a politically influenced person can dim the light and dampen the aspiration of Chief Patrick Ojechema Idoko, whose relentless effort is always to enhance transformation of the Benue South district.
However, our attention has been drawn to a sponsored publication in The Voice Newspaper edition of Monday, 6th – Sunday, 12th April 2026, authored by one Awo Whiskey, titled “Benue South Senate: How the Aspirants Stand in the Eyes of the Electorate.”
The article, in its treatment of Hon. Chief Patrick Ojechema Idoko, to us, is a deliberate misrepresentation of facts, laced with malice and sponsored to undermine the rising popularity of a man whose pedigree, competence, and humanitarian record tower above petty political blackmail. We state clearly: this publication fails every test of responsible public discourse.
We condemn the article in its entirety because the author has dwelled on false professional identity, deliberate erasure of competence, dishonest assessment of grassroots impact, and ignored the traditional validation of Chief Idoko while fallaciously carrying out the sponsored hatchet job.
False Professional Identity
The author mischievously labeled Chief Idoko a “cardiologist” at FMC Makurdi and Jos. This is false. Chief Patrick Ojechema Idoko is a globally trained geoscientist and reservoir geophysicist manager who took early retirement as Manager, Project Management at TotalEnergies Nigeria Limited in March 2023. His 25-year career spanned Nigeria and France as an international staff of TotalEnergies, including Shell, Schlumberger, and TotalEnergies HQ in Paris. Journalism demands verification. Awo Whiskey failed.
Deliberate Erasure of Competence
To reduce a man with a http://B.Sc. Geology & Mining (2nd Class Upper), http://M.Sc. Geophysics from the reputable Institut Français du Pétrole, Paris (French Institute of Petroleum), and 25 years in oil and gas operations, exploration, and Manager, Business and Enterprise Development to “not politically tested” is lazy analysis. Leadership is not tested by godfatherism but by capacity, results, and service. Chief Idoko managed billion-dollar oil seismic operations and corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects — including Nigeria’s pioneer plastic recycling factory in Port Harcourt. That is executive capacity Zone C needs.
Dishonest Assessment of Grassroots Impact
The claim that he is “not making strong inroads into the hearts of the Idoma nation” is a sponsored fiction. In 2018, his community honoured him as ICON of Development for uplifting the Och’Otukpa’s Palace. In 2021, he received an Award for Humanitarian Services and Youth Empowerment in Ogbadibo LGA. He has facilitated TotalEnergies scholarships for Idoma students, trained orphans and the less privileged through university, and built access roads in his community. He has an “unapologetic passion for widows and orphans.” Among the people contesting with him, he has sponsored two of the major contestants with his hard-earned money while working with TotalEnergies and also sponsored numerous politicians from Zone C in the last decade. Working with a multinational company like TotalEnergies both in Nigeria and France for 25 years stands him out as the most exposed, experienced, and well-traveled among the contestants and the incumbent. These are facts on ground, not whispers from Makurdi. If the writer is in doubt, he should ask for verifiable CVs of all the contestants. He is feared by the contestants for the position of Senate in Zone C, hence the mischievous and malicious blackmail of his personality. This is just to put the record straight because, by his nature, he is a silent achiever and a smooth operator. A man that does not believe in propaganda and dirty politics.
Traditional Validation Ignored
The Igede nation and Idoma Kingdom have spoken. In 2024, he was conferred ACHIJUKA 1 of Obi (THE INDOMITABLE ONE) by Obi LGA. In 2025, the Paramount Ruler, OCH’ IDOMA, conferred on him OYIJUNGA K’IDOMA (A CHILD THAT CAN TAKE YOU TO WHERE YOU CANNOT GO), and the entire Igede traditional rulers conferred on him Akwa n’y Igede (THE BRIDGE). Titles are not sold in the market. They are earned. For Awo Whiskey to claim Igede dissatisfaction while the traditional institutions honour him exposes the agenda behind the pen.
“Political Muscles” Fallacy
The suggestion that only career politicians can defeat incumbents insults the intelligence of Benue South voters. In 2023, Nigerians retired that argument. Competence, character, and credibility now outweigh “muscles.” Chief Idoko’s record in Business and Enterprise Development at TotalEnergies — deploying animal feed mills, fish, poultry, snail farming, rice farming, and transport businesses to Niger Delta communities — shows he understands empowerment beyond campaign slogans. That is what wins elections.
Sponsored Hatchet Job
By the author’s own admission in your brief, this piece was “sponsored to undermine the popularity of Hon. Chief Patrick Idoko Ojechema.” Awo Whiskeys must tell the public who paid for this advertorial disguised as analysis.
The True Position
Chief Patrick Ojechema Idoko is and remains the best choice for Zone C Senate. He is a proven manager of men, materials, and multinational projects, a humanitarian with receipts, and a son of Ogbadibo LGA with global exposure and local roots. He is eminently qualified for the Benue South Senate seat and has the integrity, intellect, and independence to represent Zone C without godfathers.
The Demand
We call on Awo Whiskey to publicly retract the misleading claims and tender an unreserved apology to Hon. Chief Patrick Ojechema Idoko, his family, and the good people of Otukpa, Ogbadibo, and Benue South for this malicious publication.
We urge the electorate of Benue South to disregard sponsored narratives and judge aspirants by verifiable records, not commissioned fiction.
Chief Idoko will not be distracted. He remains focused on consultations to offer Zone C credible, visionary representation anchored on enterprise, youth empowerment, and justice for all constituencies.
Hon. Jacob Idoko, Former Leader of the Ogbadibo Legislative Council, writes for Hon. Patrick Idoko Ojechema Campaign Media Team.
