By AUSTIN OYIBODE
By this time next year the atmosphere would have been heavily charged for the 2023 governorship election in Delta state. The primaries of the pilitical parties fielding candidates are likely to be held between November and December 2021.
For now, there are a number of aspirants jostling for the position of governor of Delta state. The aspirants are coming from Delta central and south. While Delta central lays claim to the office as their turn following rotational arrangement, Delta Ijaw is saying it is their turn because the three zones have benefited it should now begin with Ijaw, the largest oil producing area in the state.
To this end, a lot of aspirants are out to pursue the biggest political office in the state. For now, we cannot tell the number of persons because it is still growing and more are still coming. Delta Speaker, whose chief press secretary once denied being in the race has just joined, thus swelling the number.
Although we are aware that some in the race are actually contending for the crown while some others know very well that they are far away from smelling the seat of the governor. The fact is that despite the number of persons jostling for the seat, only one person will eventually emerge, whether from APC or PDP.
Some know that they have no financial muscle or goodwill to win the election. Some are financially sound and they also have the goodwill to go for the election and come out victorious. Some want to bear the title ‘former governorship aspirant in their curriculum vitae. At least by that they have grown their CVs.
But we know there are men who are dead ready to push to the end and get the crown. They may not be in the good books of the political juggernauts but they have the ability to surmount the pressure and clinch the governorship office.
On the list of aspirants on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, we have Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Olorogun David Edevbie, Chief James Augoye, James Manager, Kenneth Okpara, Fred Majemite, Sheriff Oborevwori, Sheriff Mulade, Braduce Angozi and some others. On the platform of the All Progressive Congress APC, for now there is only Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.
There are a few one can pick as frontliners in the race. With available records, we can conveniently lay hands on Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Olorogun David Edevbie, Chief James Augoye, Ovie Omo-Agege as frontliners in the battle for the coveted seat. My good friend, Sheriff Mulade is pushing from the Ijaw axis but available facts are indicating that the Ijaws may eventually drop out of the race for the peace and unity of the state.
Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi has combed every part of the state, dishing out his vision and programmes for the good of the state. Ordinarily, Gbagi is already made. His chain of business and investments are enough to feed generations. But this man has vision to govern Delta so as to bring in his entrepreneurial skills to transform the state.
On several fora, Gbagi has told Deltans his dream and aspirations for the future of Delta state. He has said he would build industries, housing for all and create jobs for all youths in the state and from all indications, Olorogun Gbagi is standing by his words. He is seen as the candidate to beat in the forthcoming elections. He is an independent minded person and he has the mind to surmount pressure from any quarter and do the will of the people.
Olorogun David Edevbie is systematically promoting his agenda on his Facebook page which he named Olorogun David Edevbie. He has some ideas which could help Delta state. He has not come out to talk neither has he spoken to anyone, especially the media about his aspirations but only through the social media handle.
Olorogun Edevbie he has been in government over the years, though not at the drivers seat. He is also believed to be loyal to some power blocs which may make his government to be remote controlled by some individuals in the state.
Ovie Omo-Agege is seen as another frontrunner in the race to Delta government house. He is the only one at the moment gunning for the 2023 governorship under the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC. He is loved by the Urhobos considering what he is doing in the National Assembly. His only problem will definitely stem from his party. The party is heavily factionalized in the state. It is one of the most divided and disunited state branch of the APC.
Among others, there are some who may be very ready to fight to finish but their aspiration is yet to be judged as to equate them to front runners.
It is also important to state that some of the aspirants are being used to block the way of some who are perceived as being to formidable to overcome. Yes, these are possibilities. Some aspirants may have sold themselves to be stumbling blocks on the way of others. Such aspirants are not interested but they are used to divide votes of perceived stronger aspirants, hence less influential persons with poor vision but stooges of powerful godfathers can now emerge as candidates during primaries.
