The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship ticket in Delta State received a major boost as the various blocs in the body of Christ, comprising All Nigerian Christian Global Fellowship (ANCGF), Organization of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), endorsed Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, OON, ahead of 2023 elections.
Others are the Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), in conjunction with Gbagi Ministers Campaign Organization (GMCO), adopted the great employer of labour in the state as their sole governorship candidate.
Speaking on Friday December 16th 2022, during a meeting of Church leaders at Results Centre Int’l, the presiding pastor, Bishop Dr. Isaiah Overare, disclosed that Gbagi, is their choice considering his antecedence as former minister of State for education.
Bishop Dr. Overare who doubles as the president of ANCGF cum chairman of Gbagi Ministers Campaign Organization, said candidates of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Sheriff Oborevwori and All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege are not a march for Gbagi.
In his opening remarks on behalf of Bishop Dr. Overare, Chief Anthony Osaweren JP, said Nigerians particularly Deltans are joyous to have the former Chairman, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, in the governorship contest.
“This era is not the era where we say party is supreme. The supremacy of the party should not supercede our conscience and that is why I told you that this is the right time to vote for our conscience.
“I preach Kenneth Gbagi, door-to-door. If a man falls into water, it takes the man who can swim to be the helper, to savage that person and we all agreed.
“Delta state is a dying State, it is a failed State. We have only one man who is technically inclined, a legal luminary, a man that has all it takes to liberate Delta State and that is the man flying under the umbrella of SDP to take over the mantle of leadership in Delta State from those who are killing Delta State, from those who have borrowed Delta State into debts that our children unborn will begin to pay.
“The only man that I know that can liberate us, is Gbagi. Sir, Nigerians and Deltans are indeed happy to see you in the governorship race.
“Not just the race but to see you as God sent to liberate Delta State. Going by your antecedence as a former minister of education and a great employer of labour, you stand tall than all the candidates, hence all Nigerian Christian Global Fellowship, Delta and Nigeria, have put together, Gbagi Ministers Campaign Organization.
“Your Excellency Sir, we have heard of your antecedence, your work in the education ministry back then as a minister of education and as an illustrious Urhobo son, an industrialist, a man who have combined law with humility and love, this organization, will leave here to do a door-to-door campaign.
“As a vehicle that we shall also carry everyone to Osadebe House, Asaba come 2023. We shall establish the organization in all local governments to mobilize people for you in 2023”, he said.
Similarly, speaking in his opening remarks, on Tuesday December 13th 2022, at St. Lazarus Christ Church, Ughelli, the administrative headquarter of Ughelli north local government area of the State, Primate Jonathan Arhawanrien, said: “OAIC is one of the biggest bloc. In January, a bigger programme is coming where we will put 10, 000 people together from the 25 local government areas for you to address them.
“A brand has no hidden place, we are in a society where honesty does not pay. But thank God that honesty will pay in this 2023, honesty and integrity will be rewarded.
“When you see your own, you welcome him. There is an adage that when an orange sees a righteous man, it falls. You are our own”.
Also, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Ukwauni local government area, Prophet Kenneth Almuna, who spoke on behalf of the association said CAN, PFN, CPFN have adopted and endorsed Gbagi as their sole governorship candidate come 2023.
The CAN chairman who was represented on Wednesday December 14th 2022, by Dr. Iyomere Michael, CAN Secretary, Ukwauni LGA, said “I want to call on all the body of CAN for all to come out and vote for SDP. This is the voice of CAN.
“All Christians have adopted Olorogun Barr Kenneth Gbagi for governor. When the disciples were in one place with one mind, the Holy Spirit decended, I know he is a man that can never be corrupted, he has given employment to people and I know he is going to do more if he is governor”, he declared.
In another development, the chairman, Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in the state, Bishop Dr. Kingsley Enakirheri, said: “”Just as you have spoken, I am here today, that if God gives you the chance to be a governor of the state, this body, we want to be fully involve in your government.
“Not just in prayers but just as a man who shun corruption and hate evil, we want to occupy some of the most sensitive departments in your government. For example, the Internal Revenue, we want to block stealing from there.
“Commissioner of Works, we want to see that jobs are not padded. Then, the Commissioner of Finance. All these kind of offices where if the righteous people are not in authority, something will go wrong.
“We want people from this bloc, we have trained people, we want them to be part of your government.
“Another thing again, will you attend our Christian functions? Support our projects? When we have needs, will you respond? PFN, we are not poor people, we are also the richest body of Christ in the nation.
“And I want to plead with you that if God do it and peradventure you become the governor, you don’t neglect this Constituency, we are the best, most honest and truthful Deltans.
“Then again, we want to appeal also that when you come in, will you be able to give us a kind of stipends to support the pastors in the villages and Riverine communities?
“If all these that I have said to you and that you are promising this house that you will do them, we will not hesitate to take you to the alter and pray for you”, he assured.
Highpoint of the town hall meeting, was a prayer session led by Bishop Dr. Kingsley Enakirerhi and other clergy men in CPFN and PFN bloc for the election victory of the biggest private investor in the state.
Earlier in his message, the International gospel preacher, who laced his sermon with scriptural passages, pointed out that when the righteous are in authority, the outcome is that the people rejoices.
“But when the wicked, the lawlessness, the ones that love money over their country. They try to take the money out of the country and keep it somewhere so that in eventuality, when there is trouble, they run and secure their family abroad (the wicked), are on the throne, the people mourn”.
According to him, King Solomon as we all know, is the wisest and richest president that has ever lived.
“His throne was established in fairness, justice and equity. He never fought any battle in his days, in his days the economy of Israel was more than any other economy in the world, his wisdom supercedes all the kings that ever lived.
“When the righteous; a man with a good heart, a man with the fear of God, a man who believes in accountability, a man that believe that there will be judgement. Heb. 9:28-29, ‘It is appointed unto a man once to die, after death, the judgement.
The CPFN and PFN Leader, added: “the state is looking forward to righteous governor”.
Those present at the event include Bishop Anthony Umukoro, Ven. Dr. Isaac Ekwokwo, pastor Legend Kparije, Pastor Christ Gold, Pastor Clement, Pastor Miss Lucky Daniel, Pastor Miss Odia Ngozi, Apostle Success Okweli, Apostle Godstime Idjesje.
Others are Pastor Evelyn Ofoghoro, Pastor Ighele Ohwovwiogor, Apostle David Odaji, Evangelist Akpede Wilson, Evangelist Mrs. Akpede Margaret, Pastor Ataiku Joseph and Elder Ojo Orojosa.
