As at the last count, 10 names are on the medals table of all Delta governorship aspirants who have obtained the People’s Democratic Party PDP expression of interest and nomination forms for the Delta governorship race. It is a historic race because whoever emerges becomes the determinant of the destiny of the entire state.
The names include Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi, Peter Mrakpor (SAN), Olorogun Abel Esievo, Speaker Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator James Manager, Olorogun David Edevbie, Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro, Ejaife Odebala and Fred Majemite. Some of these aspirants were screened out by DC-23. Out of the 10, two are from Ijaw of Delta South while eight are from Delta Central.
The purchase of forms signals the readiness and actual preparedness for the great guber race. With the purchase of forms by these aspirants, it shows they were not joking with their campaigns but meant business. Although the fact is clear that some know that they have no hope because they know they are not front runners in the historic race to the coveted seat which must of necessity be occupied by one person.
Some are necessary detractors to known prominent front runners. This is a fact in the struggle for political power. The emergence of any of the 10, to a great extent, is in the hands of the party delegates from across the 25 local government areas of the state. The key is in their hands as who they collectively vote for becomes the flagbearer of the party. And it is certain, the individual is one hundred percent sure of winning the general elections next year as far as Delta politics is concerned.
However, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has a big stake in the direction of votes by the delegates. That is why leaders and members of the party have always echoed the slogan: “where Okowa go, we go.” This is so because they see him as the leader of the party. His influence in the direction of votes cannot be underestimated. It is a known fact though he may not make public endorsement, he must have perfected ways of sending out message to his foot soldiers.
This is why the governor cannot make mistakes that could throw the state into unimaginable political and economic crisis. As at present, the major issue in the state is who emerges as the party flagbearer. A mistake from the governor will have three side effects, both on himself as an ex-governor, his programmes and policies and the general welfare of Delta people. It may land himself in trouble with anti-graft agencies and the state may become directionless.
Many prophecies have been coming from perceived men of God, though one cannot tell the genuity of the prophecies. They are attempt to whip the governor to order and avoid the calamitious mistake of choosing a bad product for the state. The mistake is adopting a man with questionable character to take over from him.
It must be noted that despite some people are not at home with his achievement in the seven years he has been in thr saddle, it is believed that he has made some significant impact in the lives of Deltans. The three universities he set up, though not completely new, the state secretariat, Asaba township roads, the flood and drainage control and a host of others are part of his achievement.
Out of these ten aspirants, Governor Okowa must consciously choose the right man to add value to what he has done. A painstaking assessment of the ten persons will zero in to one who has the brightest idea, vision, dream and proven track records of achievement in the state. This is the man with the business idea, creative skills with the accompanying boldness to approach issues with the sole objective of meeting the dying need of the populace.
Before picking an aspirant, the governor needs to examine how much impact the individual has made in the lives of people, ask simple questions to know whether the individual has criminal records, for those who have been in government, what economic records did they leave behind? These are pertinent questions the governor must find answers to before directing his foot soldiers on who should be the next governor.
So far, Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi fits into the shoe. Gbagi is an experienced business tycoon who can transform business ideas into concrete projects for the good of all Deltans. He has numerous businesses across Delta, Lagos and Abuja where many Nigerians are earning means of livelihood for themselves and their families. As a governor, he will have larger opportunity to employ the resources of the state to build lives and make people happy.
One thing Deltans must know is that Gbagi has an unblemished financial records. He was the only minister in Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency that was never invited to appear before any anti-graft agency in connection with financial misappropriation.
That is an attestation to the financial integrity of Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi. The governor will have made a great choice if he turns his pendulum to him. He is the one needed as the governor bows out next year, May 29, 2023.
