Hundreds of people from Ijaw nation comprising of men, women, old and young, defied the heavy downpour which lasted for over an hour, besieged the Oginibo country home of the prominent Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), governorship aspirant and former minister of education, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, in Ughelli south local government area of Delta State, pledging their unalloyed support for his 2023 governorship election.
The Ijaw group by their act on Wednesday May 12th 2021, has deflated the camps of the present Deputy governor of the State, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro and Senator James Manager, the Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District of the state who rumour said are also gunning for the seat.
The mammoth crowd under the auspices of Pressure Group, comprising Indigenes from Kiagbodo and Bikorogha in Burutu local government area of the State, noted that they came to give their support to the former minister’s gubernatorial ambition, affirming that it was his turn to govern the state come 2023.
Speaking on behalf of the groups, Stephen Tare, said: “We are pleading, sir, as you are coming, stand firm, don’t allow anything to shake you because we know that nothing can shake you. We know that you are already there and that is why when we arrived, the rain fell to wash away all the dirts.
“Please, when you have been sworn-in, don’t forget us. You are a father that takes care of children, youths and the elderly ones. No one has spoken ill about you and we equally pray that when you have become governor, the good work that you have started, continue it to till end”.
Also speaking, Mrs. Victoria Ase, the immediate past woman leader from Ward 8, said: “As God will have it, when we entered into the compound, the rain fell. That means any dirt that would have enter into 2023, God has washed them away. Today, we are here to tell you that we want to work with you. We will enter into same boat with you and the boat you have entered will not sink.
“We are behind you, God has removed nothing that will disturb you. We are here to know you and now that we have known you, we will vote for you, you will always go up, we know that come 2023, you have won and nothing will hold it in Jesus name I have prayed”, just as she called on other Deltans to support his aspiration.
In his response, the elated Gbagi, who acknowledge their presence for over nine hours, appreciated them for waiting tirelessly, “more particularly, that you defied the rain to show such magnitude of interest. I must confess, it is one that will remain with me in memory. So, my people, you have not come to the wrong place”.
He disclosed that he has helped uncountable number of persons across the state irrespective of their tribes, “whether you are an Ijaw, Hausa, Urhobo, Itsekiri, I don’t know tribe. It will interest you to know that the best governor in my opinion, is Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
“Why did I say so, he has constructed roads, schools and hospitals in your communities, he did not know you and he is giving you widow’s money in your local government. So, when I go around, I tell people that what you owe God, is to pray for him for good health and ability to finish stronger”.
