Within the next few months, the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will emerge in Delta state. As everyone knows, clinching the PDP ticket in Delta is almost akin to winning the governorship election. This is a fact known to all those conversant with the politics of the state.
This is why the people of Delta, especially the PDP delegates that will participate in the primaries must not make avoidable mistakes in the choice of who takes over from Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in 2023.
It is one of the most crucial decisions PDP stakeholders will make within the months of 2022. Expectedly, between August and October, the primary election of the parties must have been held and the candidates for the February 2023 election unveiled.
Now, among the plethora of personalities gunning for the governorship of Delta state, stakeholders and other Deltans must painstakingly examine the contenders prior to the primaries. There are attributes Deltans must look for in the aspirants. Some are without clear manifestoes and vision for a greater Delta. These people are just flowing with the tide. They have no blue-print, no plan of action to be executed if, perhaps, they are given the mandate to lead.
Delta is a multi-ethnic state peopled with men and women of diverse political and socio-economic views. Hence, an aspirant who can harness all the views for the overall benefit of all Deltans is the man needed. The best aspirant is an aspirant with a pan-Delta view. This is the man who is not an ethnic bigot, a man who sees the entire Delta as his constituency without tribal sentiment.
As Governor Ifeanyi Okowa once said, he will not handover power to someone who will not see Asaba, Agbor, Ozoro, Kwale, Bomadi as part of his constituency. The next governor must be someone who will carry everybody in the state, undermining tribe, along in the distribution of social amenities and the goodies of democracy.
Deltans should also look at people who have contributed in the past and present to the development of the state. Deltans should look at someone who has made solid impact in the economy of the state. Without bias, it will be proper to lay all the aspirants on the table, dissect their past, examine them one after the other and pick out one who has visible investment in the state.
Deltans need a governor with a business acumen. It’s time we looked beyond promises coated with sugar and after ascension of office, such promises are discarded and hopes dashed. We should look for the man who has a clean record: record of financial integrity in places where he has worked and record of investment in the state.
Deltans should also examine the aspirants and beam the searchlight on their sources of wealth. Yes, some have money, but we need to examine where they got their money from. Is it from politics, personal investment or where? Deltans should not fall for those who have spent all their lives amassing wealth from politics all through their lives. Such men are gold diggers.
In all said so far, the only man in the race that is fit for this job, considering the criteria itemised above is Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi. This man perfectly fits the cast described above. Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi is the man of the moment.
One beautiful record about this man is that of financial integrity. It is on record that among all the ministers who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan, he was the only one not invited by the Economic and Financial Commission EFCC, after his tenure for questioning. Gbagi was Minister of State for Education.
Every Nigerian knew how President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime dealt with appointees of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Many were hounded into detention in EFCC and DSS custody. He was the only one not invited for probe. That shows a man of unquestionable financial integrity. Yes, the testimony is everywhere.
Gbagi, an industrialist, criminologist and attorney has visible investments in the state which have touched lives and employed Deltans.
Which of the other aspirants has visible investment in the state besides political engagement and Delta Government House? If a man could invest in the state in such form, one can tell what he will do when he emerges governor for eight solid years.
Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi has said that his vision is to build industries and liberate indigenes of the state from poverty. He thinks industry and is industry himself. He has done it and he will do it again. This is going to be the first time Deltans will have an industrialist at the driver’s seat. The dead industries in the state will be revived and youths will gain massive employment.
We must not fail to understand that Gbagi is already a made man. He has everything set for his generations yet unborn. So, we do not expect him to be a thief in Government House. As far as Gbagi is concerned, he is not going to Government House to enrich himself. Rather, his race to Government House is to transform the state for the good of all.
Deltans need a man who will not steal their money. Godfatherism has crippled the state. Those who come to power through godfathers will spend the money on godfathers. While Deltans are crying, the godfathers are smiling to the banks. It is time we collectively put an end to this. This is why Gbagi is the only man who can do this and utilize the state’s treasury for the development of the state.
Gbagi is not tribalistic and his vision cuts across the entire Delta state. He perfectly fits into the saying of Governor Okowa that he will not handover governance to anyone who will not see the entire Delta as his constituency. Gbagi’s programme covers the length and breadth of the state.
The ball is in the court of Deltans, firstly the PDP delegates for the primaries and the entire Deltans at the general election. The time to think wise is now. We must not make mistakes. It will be too costly.
AUSTIN OYIBODE
