The Archbishop of Bendel Province, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Bishop Cyril Odiboghene Odutemu PhD, JP has anointed the incoming Governor of Delta State under the auspices of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), His Excellency Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, as the successor to the incumbent, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa in the March governorship election.
To political analysts and followers of political trends, in the state, this is not strange as many including former governors of the State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan and the incumbent, Dr. Okowa, wishes for a clean break for the State.
They have separately told Gbagi, that he is the only one that can deliver the state from the current underdevelopment, economic devastation, wide margin of unemployment and insecurity.
It is now official that the preferred candidate and stooge of Okowa, Sheriff Oborevwori, of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), would not see the light of day with his political gimmicks ordinarily not qualified for a counselorship position not to talk of being a governor in a State like Delta.
Archbishop Odutemu, who is the Bishop of Ughelli Diocese, during the Prayer Convocation and Silver Jubilee celebration at the Anglican Girls Grammar School (AGGS) field, took up the jar of oil, called on the famous gubernatorial candidate in the state and poured the anointing oil on him with a charge to take over government and bring the much needed development.
Gbagi, Okowa’s successor come May 29th this year, is powerfully connected, dynamic, a renowned Criminologist, the biggest employer of labour in the State and he is very much part of the politics of Nigeria and the state.
The Anglican Bishop who invoked the charismatic part of the Anglican faith said the over 50, 000 worshippers should cast their votes where they would not regret it.
Hear him: “Gbagi promised and he has fulfilled his promise, that means, he will do what he says.
“Anybody who can deceive the church, will never fulfill any promise to the state.
“I will not hide anything from you, we said that we will announce to the people, that the Holy Spirit must guide you to vote rightly. We will not mislead you, God will guide your hearts so that where you put your votes, you will not regret it”.
Leading the mammoth crowd into a session of prayers, he charged the people to commit the gubernatorial ambition of Gbagi, former Chairman, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, his family and Campaign Council to the hands of God for divine direction.
Bishop Odutemu, who doubles as the Chairman, Delta State Pilgrim Welfare Board, prayed thus: “Lord Jesus, there will be a vacancy at the government house on the 29th of May that somebody must occupy and Deltans will decide that in March.
“Father, your son has told us his programmes, we pray for him. God grant him success and let your will be done in him. Jehovah, your will and let the Devil be put to shame.
“That which he proposed for good, empower him to fulfill in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”.
Continuing in his charge to the people, he told the prominent gubernatorial candidate of SDP that the congratulation are the battle axe for Jesus and that they must vote for a God-fearing candidate.
“With them, we will remove every corruption and Satanic agenda from the country. With their PVC, they will axe every enemy of progress, they will determine the election and may God grant you success” Archbishop Odutemu, declared.
Earlier in his address, the leading governorship candidate and largest private investor in the state, told the gathering that unless Deltans liberate themselves, the state would be in anarchy.
“I have served this country, I believe I merit to become governor of the state. I have come to meet you people because the decision is in your hands.
“In the short moment I was a minister in this country, I created 13 federal Universities in Nigeria. In that same short moment I brought a federal girls college to Ughelli south.
“I believe that unless we liberate ourselves, we will be in trouble. Ladies and gentlemen, I am uncomfortable. I will liberate Delta State for the good of all of you. I will set up individual local governments such that local government will be sustainable and pay their bills.
‘i will issue a free education to all Deltan children. I will pay every Delta unemployed youths N30, 000 from the day of my swearing in until I give them jobs to do.
“I believe that with you, people of God. That is why I have come to you. Choose the best material who can represent and serve Delta State in a greater growth for Delta to know what we are.
“Delta State is the richest State in Nigeria. Delta State is richer than 42 countries in the world but you people must start getting the benefits with me as your governor from this year.
“Don’t be deceived. Please, check well and vote. It is with this party, SDP, Olorogun Felix Ibru, won election in Delta State and that government was not corrupt.
“Our logo is the horse, please remember us in your prayers and let us together liberate Delta State”, he stressed.
The entire body of Christ ranging from the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN), Organization of Africa Instituted Churches (OAIC) and all the blocs have made it very clear that Gbagi, is competent, more focused and connected to change the narrative and move the state forward.
In the last seven and half years, Delta State has been worse for it under Okowa, as one of the richest State in Nigeria and richer than 42 independent countries in the world.
Corruption and rubber stamp allegations against Okowa and his preferred candidate Oborevwori, as Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), have persisted despite spirited denials.
They dilly dallied over the payment of pensioners leading to massive protest by the senior citizens who retired since 2015 to date without their gratuities been paid and the unprecedented sprees of borrowing thereby plugging the rich oil State into debt.
These glaring shortcomings would explain the decision of Deltans to pitch tent with the sellable candidate of the Social Democratic Party to come up with a master plan and a blueprint for the development of the state in next 50 years.
