Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi on Friday visited Chief Ayiri Emami the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom the leader of the Itsekiri people at the ancestral hall of ologbotsere descendants union.
Gbagi, while addressing the chief and the elders present, expressed joy for reconnecting with his friend and brother Ayiri Emami. The traditional chief welcomed him with excitement, drinks and kola as custom demands.
Gbagi said “It is a thing of joy to be here with my brother who knows me as much as I know him. He is my brother from Ughelli south, Okwagbe specifically. I have come to see him because I believe in him and we are alike, because we are both honest and we both share our love for Delta state.
“Just by coming to this compound, we all know that Emami likes Delta. I have come to meet Emami because politics is here again. And we are looking for someone who we can trust Not party but who has the best interest of Deltans at heart Nobody can tell Emami who to vote for. And if you disrespect him that’s your business.
“I have come to tell my brother Emami that I am contesting for governor under the party where he was once a member and his father was also a member. I have come to beg you Emami because where you will be I will not be there and where I will be you won’t be there.”
He said “the first litmus test is to know who has the interest of the state at heart.. If you Emami want to contest for governor i will support you. I cannot be governor and say Emami doesn’t matter. We co-exist and we know ourselves very well.
“Bring out your heart and let us liberate Delta state together. We cannot allow Delta to drift more than it already has. We need men of character to make Delta state great again”
Responding Chief Ayiri Emami commended the respect that Gbagi showed by coming to the ancestral seat of the Ologbotsere. And also the investments that Gbagi has brought about in the state while lamenting the state of insecurity that has dampened economic growth in Delta.
He said “in carrying out my duty as the Ologbotsere, when the Itsekiri people decide, it overrides my personal decision. As an APC person, i can wake up and say Itsekiri people are supporting Gbagi or Ovie Omo Agege. My seat as the Ologbotsere is in the interest of the Itsekiri people..”
