I read an article written by one Chief Larry Adanike who attacked Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi on his stance on zoning. The article was titled “Chief Kenneth Gbagi and his despicable politics.”
In his vituperation against Gbagi, the outspoken and foremost guber aspirant in Delta state, he said Gbagi is playing ethnic card and threatening violence. He went as far as calling on stakeholders to petition law enforcement agencies over Gbagi’s alleged threat of violence.
He described Gbagi as an insecure and desperate politician who is resorting to despicable tactics as strategies to win elections.
He also argued that every citizen, according to Nigeria law has inalienable rights to contest election irrespective of where the person is coming from. His argument is on the ground that Ijaws have right to contest the 2023 governorship election and should be allowed to do so.
Before I delve into some critical issues I must say that Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi is not a desperate politician. He cannot be desperate because he is not contesting to amass wealth from Delta government house. Gbagi is a made man. He has gathered what can take of his life and his children even generations yet unborn.
His resources are spread across parts of the state, in Lagos and Abuja. The businesses are not hidden, they are known to everyone in Delta state. Gbagi cannot be desperate because, on several fora, he has said it that he is not interested in driving government vehicles when he eventually wins as governor in 2023.
Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi’s dream is to harness the beautiful resources in the state and use them to industrialise the state for the good of all Delta people. Everyone in the state can testify that Gbagi is an industrialist, an entrepreneur and a man loaded with enough business acumen, driven with unquestionable passion to serve.
A desperate man is the one that wants to get power by force and utilise the opportunity therein for his own benefit. This is not Gbagi. Gbagi is not interested in the wealth of Delta but he is interested in building Delta for the overall benefit of all residents.
There are so many allegations people have raised against him but they have all fallen as pack of cards. They have not succeeded in their intentions because Gbagi has remained one of the most blameless individuals in the state. His name has not appeared in the black book of anti-graft agencies. Gbagi is bent on employing his wealth of experience to build a virile state that will be the envy of all residents and a case study for Nigerian states.
One thing Gbagi is known for is that he stands by his words. People who know him have testified to the fact that Gbagi stands by his words and does not go back or renege on his promises. He has some of the best brands of cars. He has Rolls Royce which he drives to his meetings and programmes. He is a big dreamer and a strong advocate for development and industrialisation.
On the issue of threatening violence due to Ijaws stand on non-zoning, Gbagi has not threatened anyone with violence. Over the years, I’ve not read or seen any report of violence traceable to Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi. Winning or losing Delta governorship election is not enough for Gbagi to threaten anyone with violence. Gbagi is not pursuing governorship for his personal gain.The fact remains that Gbagi has continuously said the zoning system should be maintained in the 2023 governorship election.
His stance on zoning is predicated on the belief that the zoning system has kept the state in peace and stability. It has kept Delta state united and strong. Despite the fact that the three senatorial districts have taken their turns at the governorship, Gbagi is convinced that the governorship should return to where it started and let it run seemlessly without obstruction.
As far as him and good thinking Deltans are concerned, former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had served the turn of Delta South after Chief James Ibori and the governorship cannot return to Delta South now because the governorship is not on ethnic basis but on senatorial arrangements.
It is an aberration for the Ijaws of Delta South to clamour for the governorship in 2023. The governorship arrangement is not on ethnic basis but on senatorial basis and since Uduaghan is from Delta South, the Ijaws have no ground to insist on government house in 2023.
Gbagi’s stand is that their agitation will cause crisis because it will breed disunity, division, political unrest and may turn the state to the opposition party if not handled with the utmost care and diplomacy. Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, is carefully watching the unfolding drama in the PDP caucus. If the stakeholders fail to play the game well, there’s the possibility of the state losing to the opposition party, this is what Gbagi does not want and will not accept.
So, Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi has not in any way called and will never call for violence. He is a man of peace and has continued to be a man of peace. He has a beautiful dream for the state and is determined to ensure it materialises for the good of all.
I want to call for all Deltans to support his ambition. For the few years I’ve known him, Gbagi is one of the most lively individuals in the state. He is approachable and friendly to all. He has met with all classes and groups of people across the state. He has the needed connection and contacts to meet the developmental needs of the state.
Our Ijaw brothers should lay down their agitation and wait for 2031. It will bring unity, peace, love and oneness in the state. Delta has been one and we will continue to remain one.
God bless Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi!
God bless our Ijaw brothers!!
God bless Delta state!!!
God bless Nigeria!!!!
