There was heavy traffic gridlock on major roads and streets of Ubulu-Uku kingdom, Aniocha south local government area of Delta State as the gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, members and supporters of the party crippled commercial activities with its one million-man march on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
Gbagi, a former minister of State for education, was accompanied by the Vice chairman, South-south of the party, Elder Fred Owhotorofa, the State chairman of SDP, Ambassador Oke Idawene JP, the Deputy governorship candidate of the party in the 2023 election, Chief Mrs. Oshilim Ishioma Rosemary, other topnotch of the party and supporters, including men, women and youths took off from the Palace Road Junction and walked round the major Streets of the ever busy Ubulu-Uku town with solidarity songs to the admiration of all.
Vehicular traffic in several parts of Ubulu-Uku were grounded from Saturday morning till early evening in the one million ma march which featured youths and the elderly, marching through major roads in support of Gbagi, former Chairman Delta Development Property Authority (DDPA).
The Social Democratic Party candidate’s supporters defied the scourging sun to participate in the one man march for Gbagi, as supporters came in from the three senatorial districts of the state.
As early as 8:00am, the supporters started arriving at the venue from across the 25 LGAs of the state in demonstration of their unalloyed readiness to vote for the party at all levels.
Some of them were seen wearing materials with the symbols of the party while some of them held the party flag high singing and dancing expressing happiness and joy.
Speaking at the rally, the industrialist, said: “the fact remains that Delta State must be liberated. I have christered my campaign slogan as “Liberate Delta”.
“And by the grace of God, with all these men of God and the cries of the youths, our backwardness, suffering masses and disabled people,, will liberate Delta State by the grace of God.
“We have denied the children from good schools, health care. We cannot be struggling like other poor States are struggling. Today, in the whole of South-south, Delta State is the biggest borrower of money.
“Unless we have an entrepreneur like Gbagi, it means we will borrow everyday and this state would have gone to the oblivion.
“If I think of the people that comes to my house and gate everyday, I will have reason to contest the election. It is because of this reason and so many much more, I plead with everybody here to give your votes to all SDP candidates”, he said.
Addressing the supporters, the Vice Chairman of the party, South-south Elder Fred Owhotorofa, said: “Kenneth Gbagi, is a man of irrefutable character and integrity, a man that will bring about good governance. The kind of governance that Delta State is looking out for.
“Kenneth Gbagi, will bring about massive industrialization of Delta State because he is an entrepreneur”.
The state Chairman of the party, Oke Idawene, presented membership card to High Chief Emma Nwaofulu, who declared his support for Gbagi, at the palace.
According to the Chairman, “We are here to announce to Ubulu-Uku that their son-in-law is contesting governorship of Delta State. He is not a thief, he is coming to help Delta State, support him.
“This is the opportunity to familiarize, synergize and reignite your support base for the governorship flagbearer, Olorogun Gbagi, for a possible and better Delta State.
“This is a reawakening of our consciousness in politics, leadership and governance. Our message is direct, clear and simple. It is all about hope for Deltans and all believers of good governance.
“It is about strong grassroots mobilization to encourage eligible voters to vote for Gbagi come 2023. Let us all know that our PVCs are important because the social movement is real.
”The time is now for all to stand bold and say enough is enough by marching words with action, spread the message across the units, villages, wards and LGAs that a vote for Gbagi, signifies hope, and victory for all Deltans”.
The Deputy Governorship candidate, Chief Mrs Oshilim Ishioma Rosemary, called on Ubulu-Uku to cast their votes for SDP, saying “Vote for Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, this is the only party that allowed a woman to be a Deputy governorship candidate of SDP”.
Also speaking, Chairman of the party in Aniocha south LGA, Comrade Paul, noted: “As a matter of fact, the Obi Council expressed their profound gratitude to Gbagi, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, and Oshilim Ishioma Rosemary, the Deputy governorship candidate.
‘Delta North is highly represented here. This is just to let Ubulu-Uku people know that SDP is on ground.
Ubulu-Uku, will turn out en mass to vote for Gbagi”, he said.
Another speaker, the House of Assembly candidate, Joseph Okpara, said: “SDP is the party to follow, political ancestors should leave us alone”.
The Chief who received the party card, Chief Emma Nwaofulu hinted: “This particular event is change, not the other change but the change we are expecting. It will interest you to know that Gbagi, is a Chief in this kingdom.
“The joy I have to come from the palace, is to see for myself and to go and tell them. Please, I plead with all of you to do your best and vote for Gbagi, vote SDP”, he canvassed.
