The battle for Delta governorship, though not yet in the open, it is the main issue being discussed in Delta. While the Ijaw agitation is being under rated, the Urhobos of Delta central who feel it is their turn to produce the governorship are having a plethora of interested persons to contend with. Among the person who are gearing up for the coveted office are embattled Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, the former minister of state for education.
Gbagi, who is presently battling the challenge of four persons who were reportedly stripped naked in his Signatious Hotel in Effurun, Warri, is heavily interested in the race. He told a collection of journalists in his Oginibo country home on Saturday that Barrister Peter Mrakpor, the Delta state attorney general, is the unseen hand behind the four persons stripped naked. He alleged that it is a ploy by Mrakpor to smear his image because both of them are gunning for the governorship from the same Ughelli South local government area of the state. Gbagi is very much ready for the race but he is not seen to close to any of the power blocs, whether Okowa or Ibori.
Olorogun David Edevbie is also from Ughelli axis but he is from Ughelli North. He is presently the chief of staff to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state. He has been commissioner for finance in the first term of Governor Okowa. He was also commissioner for finance during the administration of former Governor James Ibori. Edevbie is a financial expert. He has managed many financial institutions in Nigeria. He is seen by many to be the favourite of Chief James ibori, the godfather of politics in Delta state.
Barrister Peter Mrakpor is also involved in the race for the Delta 2023 governorship. He came to political limelight in the first term of Governor Okowa. He is currently serving two terms as commissioner for Justice and Attorney general of the state. His wife, Joan Mrakpor, a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly and a one-time member of the Federal House of Representatives is seen by many as his powerhouse in the race to the 2023 governorship. Some persons are also of the view that Governor Okowa is tactically pushing for Peter Mrakpor to take over as the next governor after him.
Mr. James Augoye is the Delta state commissioner for works. In the first term of the governor, he served in the same office as commissioner for works. Although his aspiration is not as visible as the first three, some persons have said he is also interested and that he has a good mind for the people of the state. Augoye is from Okpe area of the state. His local government is most preferred because no one has emerged from that area since the creation of the state. Felix Ibru, the first civilian governor, is from Ughelli North, the same local government where David Edevbie is coming from and the same zone with Mrakpor and Gbagi.
