Members of the Obidient movement in Delta have finally endorsed Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party SDP in Delta state.
The endorsement was held at Ijerhe, a community in Ethiope west local government area of the state on Tuesday. The members were led by Messrs Collins Atoborherhiru and Ogedegbe Ogheneoseme, coordinator and leader of Obidient movement in Idjerhe kingdom and Jesse town respectively.
Speaking on behalf of the members which comprise majorly youths and women, Mr. Ogedegbe gave solid reasons why the youths decided to queue behind Gbagi for the March 11 governorship elections.
According to him, the Obidient movement was founded following the integrity, transparency, competence and capacity found in Peter Obi, not for money making. He said if it were for money making, Governor Okowa’s money would have paved way for him.
He described the structures of the All Progressives Congress APC as criminal, saying: ‘this is not the time to dole out money because we have passed that time.”
He said: “They have been calling us. But we have told them we will work with people who have character both in private and public sector. And we have seen Gbagi to be the man with such criteria.
“Gbagi will bring discipline into governance. The problem we have in Delta is stealing our money and we cannot continue with that. We will work with Gbagi to disgrace them. Gbagi will listen to us.
“Gbagi is a very disciplined man. People say he is too harsh, we need a harsh man who will not allow corruption in public office. We are standing behind you. They have been calling and begging us.
“Now, youths have got sense. It’s over with them. We need men of character and competence towards public office. We have seen it in Gbagi that he has the competence to industrialize Delta and change it for good.”
Mr. David Solomon, the coordinator of Obidient movement in the Diaspora, an indigene of Ika, but based in Atlanta, USA, congratulated the Obidients for their gallantry during the last presidential election.
He said with the movement in Nigeria now, “we are no more about parties but candidates who can liberate Delta. Gbagi has been seen to be that person. He is an industrialist and with his entrepreneural ability, he can deliver Delta.
“We are after people of integrity and character but not party. I want to encourage all of us that the way we came out on Saturday to vote we should also come out in such manner to vote for Gbagi.
“His government will create jobs for us. He will fight corruption in government. He will chase away herdsmen form Delta. Let’s tell our friends and parents that Gbagi is the man we are looking for in Delta.”
Coordinator of the Obidient youths in Idjerhe kingdom, Collins Atoborherhiru, said the major focus of the Obidient movement was to project Peter Obi and that has been done.
He added that now that Obi has been voted in Delta, it’s time to support Gbagi who has the typical character of Peter Obi.
He said: “We are holding unto Gbagi in Delta. We want to support him and vote for him. We supported Peter Obi because of transparency, capacity and competence. Now, we are supporting Gbagi for his competence and integrity in public service.”
Addressing the Obidient youths, Gbagi said he is running for the governorship of Delta because he can liberate the state. He noted that the solution to the problem of Delta is industrialisation where jobs can be created for unemployed youths in the state.
He also said his government would offer free education for youths up to university level, adding that “once we have a governor with credibility and good character, 60 percent of our problems is solved.”
“Obidients defeated PDP and APC throughout Urhobo land. This shows that things are no more the same. I congratulate and thank you for voting Peter Obi. It’s now time to vote Gbagi to liberate Delta. Together, we can make Delta work.”
