Hundreds of supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ozoro, Isoko north local government area of Delta State have trooped out on the streets of Ozoro, the administrative headquarter of the council area for a solidarity walk for the gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming general election, His Excellency, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi OON and all SDP candidates, from the House of Representatives to the State House of Assembly.
The highlight of the walk on Thursday last week was the adoption of the former minister of state for education as the sole governorship candidate with capacity to deliver on his electioneering promises at Ekwerigbe Primary School, Ozoro.
The supporters, who were chanting various solidarity songs, took off from Adaigho Foundation Gospel Crusader Church and ended at the venue of the campaign where party members and their huge crowd of supporters pledged their support for the SDP standard bearer and candidates of the party in Isoko nation.
The Ozoro indigenes said since its existence, no governorship candidate had spoken so passionately about his developmental plans for them as displayed by the largest private investor in the State.
At Ekwerigbe Primary School, Gbagi, a former Chairman, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, addressed the crowd, commending them for showing love to the party and assuring them of his developmental programmes his administration would bring to Ozoro nation.
He called on the people of Ozoro to vote for all the party’s candidates, from the president to the State House of Assembly, noting that the excited crowd had shown that the people were truly yearning for positive changes and not listening to concocted stories.
The campaign trail moved from Ekwerigbe Primary School, to First Guaranty Petroleum and Gas Limited, a fuel station for Gbagi’s free fuel distribution to transporters where they vowed to mobilize votes for the governorship candidate, Olorogun Gbagi, in the 2023 general elections.
Expressing his gratitude for the free fuel distribution, Mr. Emeza Destiny, said: “I am very happy, but not because of the fuel that Gbagi gave us. I am happy because I believe that he is somebody that will do what he says he will do.
“I can see that he is a truthful person, from the manifesto that I have heard, I believe that he is capable. From the grassroot, they are trying and I am ready to canvass for them.
“I have based in Warri, before, Gbagi, is a good man. We need positive changes and I pray that God will give Gbagi, victory.
“I am happy base on the manifestos of the SDP governorship candidate. I am not just happy about the fuel but I am happy that what he says, I can do it. I am not a member of any political party, but I am supporting Gbagi, he stressed.
Another beneficiary, Umuaesi Elohor, an Okada rider, said: “the man is very good. He gave me free fuel, I must vote for SDP and all the candidates of SDP must win”, he said.
Also, Joseph Aphigbe, said: “I am supporting Fine Boy, for House of Representatives because we need change. We have a man that has been representing us for more 22 years. This man carries money and burnt them because the money is no longer useful while we are suffering”.
Mr. Sunday Edafe, a graduate of Computer Economist from College of Education, Warri, who resorted to Okada riding due to joblessness, hinted that if given the opportunity, Gbagi would perform wonders.
He said: “it is not really the fuel that matters. I took my personal time to ensure that I am in support of good governance.
“Gbagi has proved to us that he is the right man for the job. If Gbagi can keep to his promises, he is the right man for the job.
“I graduated since 2012. As I am talking with you now, my result is at home. If I go to the classroom and handles the Chalk, you will love it but the take home is nothing to write home about and I cannot sit down, that is why you are seeing me do this.
“When I heard he was coming, I decided to come, from what I have seen, he is the right man for the job. Whether he gives us fuel or not, he is the right man for the job”.
Similarly, Akpokure Lucky, said: “I am very happy because Gbagi is our man. Nothing will make me not to vote for Gbagi. Deltans should consider SDP as the party to vote for because Gbagi, has shown he will work in Delta State”.
In same vein, Williams Enahorho, said: “Gbagi is a man and voice of the people. When he gets there, he will do signs for our state. All Isoko ethnic nationality will work for him as SDP. We are looking forward to that day if that election. All of us we are going to vote massively for Gbagi. No Gbagi, no election”, he declared.
