Top Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Delta state, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has revealed what former governor, Chief James Ibori, told him about the next governor of the state .
Ibori, a political godfather in the state was reported to be preparing grounds for one of his loyalists and ex-commissioner, Olorogun David Edevbie, to succeed incumbent governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in order to protect his threatened political dynasty.
However, Gbagi, former minister of state for education and biggest private investor in Delta, who hosted members of Gbagi Solidarity Movement, GSM, at his Oginibo country home in Ughelli South local government area, said Ibori told him that he (Gbagi) would become the next governor of the state in 2023 or nobody else.
The industrialist who let the cat out of the bag, disclosed: “I visited the former governor, two of us had a discussion and he said, ‘Olorogun Gbagi, I came back to the country and everywhere I go in the state, I hear Gbagi. I do not know anybody who can be governor in the state and turn situation around positively than you, Gbagi.’
According to Gbagi, “After those good things he had told me, I said to Chief James Ibori, look all these good things that you have told me, tell it to Governor Okowa and he said to me, take my word for it, I will tell the governor that you are the next governor or nobody else. Chief James Ibori will not deny himself, I say it the way it is.”
Gbagi, who called on Urhobos not to play the second fiddle, tasked them to allow the incumbent governor and leader of the party in the state, Senator Okowa, to steer the party in making a wise choice for 2023.
“If former governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori picked his senior brother and made him the governor of Delta state, Urhobo, I plead with you to allow Senator Okowa listen to the counsel of God and take decision on his successor as well.
“If a governor can produce his own blood brother to take over from him, I see nothing wrong in letting God instruct Governor Okowa, who has put the Almighty God first in everything he does in the state.
“No one can stop what a governor who is determined to do the best for his state will do. Let the best candidate present himself, we will not shortfall in telling Deltans the truth. Okowa will handover to a governor from Urhobo come 2023.
“Those who are questionable will not go for Urhobo. If you have anything against Gbagi, say it out today. Gentlemen, I believe Okowa will handover to me”, Gbagi declared.
