The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Governorship candidate in Delta State, His Excellency, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi OON, has asked the Church in the state to show more commitment than praying alone.
He said that though prayer is necessary and important, the church should see the 2023 general election as one it should back its prayers with action for the ultimate liberation of the state.
Gbagi, who spoke in Ekakpamre on Monday December 26th 2022, at the 2022 Annual Convention of the African Church, commended the forthrightness of the Archbishop, the Most Reverend Isaac A. Obie, of Warri Province, who spoke on the message titled: “Ye are the salt of the earth”.
The former minister of State for education, reminded the church that faith without work is dead.
The SDP gubernatorial candidate whose entrance into the African Church Grammar School Ekakpamre, venue of the event was electrifying as he was given a heroic welcome.
He said the church has the history of bringing desired change to the nations of the world.
According to him: “When I was to start this race as governor of this state, three to four years ago, I called men of God, I said I want to do this again, pray for me, spread the message to your congregations, this is what I want to do.
“I took one from the Anglican church, I took one from the Catholic church and I took one from the pentecostal church.
“I want to plead with you people, the faith and hope I have to stand here today that I want to be governor of Delta State, is the fact that I believe that God will lead Deltans this time around rightfully.
“You have been deceived, you have been lied to and the situation is getting worse by the day. Fathers can no longer pay the school fees of their children and mothers can no longer go to farm and market, we have become nothing.
“It makes good to inform you, I was a former minister for education of this country. When I was leaving as a minister, we exchanged dollar for N158 and N159 to a dollar. Today, and if care is not taken, the dollar will hit N900.
“We can no longer buy rice, garri and we can no longer send our children to school. Our hospitals have become mortuaries, yet they are telling you it will be good.
“I hear some irresponsible slogan not too long ago that we will do more. By that, you will borrow more money, by that, we will see more strive, by that, we will not be able to go to school. Do more what? Tell us what you want to do.
“The problems that we have today in the world are men of God. 94.6 per cent of Deltans are Church-goers; Christians. No Muslim has ruled Delta State, no Igbe has ruled Delta State.
“If the church is 94.6 per cent of our people and they keep on voting criminals and people of questionable character, the church has brought criminals to rule us.
“I like the Church to decide, God has afforded you the opportunity now, in March you will decide who will be your governor. I present myself to you, I am a Catholic, I have lived and brought some of my investments here.
“Take Ughelli south for example, I will establish no less than 40 limited liability international standard companies in Ughelli south”.
Gbagi who insisted that the vehicle called Delta requires a new driver, that has entrepreneurial mind, competent, qualified and committed to doing the right thing, urged the church to lead the campaign.
“The Christian community should work hard and ensure that next year’s election is based on character and trust, competency, capacity and commitment.
“It should not be by the same perimeters we used in the past when we were talking about tribe, religion and such things.
“It’s not about religion, no religion buys bread cheaper, no tribe buys bread cheaper, I have not seen roads that were tarred for Christians or the one tarred for Muslims, so it is now time for us to do the right things”, he added.
Earlier in his homily, the Archbishop
of Warri Province, the Most Reverend Isaac A. Obie, charged the congregation to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and vote individual with credibility, integrity, character and not party.
The blunt cleric, warned the church that anyone without his/her PVC is an enemy of the church.
Hear him: “Have your PVC and vote wisely, this suffering, if you don’t have your PVC and vote wisely, you will be the only one to suffer it.
“Money is not everything, you must have your PVC and vote in good governance.
“Have your PVC and if you don’t have your PVC, you are an enemy of the Church. The time has come for us to know the truth and vote for the truth.
“The election of 2023 is not about party, it is about individual, credibility and integrity.
“When you vote don’t vote for party but vote for a candidate who can govern the people well, make sure you vote wisely”, he stressed.
