Three days to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday March 11th 2023, senior citizens in Delta State, have thrown their weight behind the guber bid of His Excellency, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The senior citizens under the aegis of Association of Contributory Retirees (ACR), Delta State chapter, noted that they were inspired by the sincerity and passion of the former minister of state for education in ensuring human and infrastructural development in the state.
Chairman of the Association of Contributory Retirees in Ughelli south, Prophet Friday Johnny, on Monday March 6th 2023, in Oginibo, Ughelli south local government area of the State told Gbagi that they took note of the fact that he was not a noise maker.
Prophet Johnny, who doubles as the Chairman, Olomu Pastors Political Forum, disclosed that the issue of nonpayment of gratuity has been on for 10 years.
He said Gbagi, a former Chairman, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, has the capacity and the competence required to move the state out of the present condition to a state where every retiree and other Deltans will have their welfare giving the needed consideration.
Johnny, a minister of repute disclosed to the philanthropist that his members are suffering as many of them cannot access their money from the contributory pension scheme, though contributed by them.
He said: “We are suffering. We cannot access our money. We understand that your presence in government house will help us to access our money. Hence, we decided to throw our weight behind your ambition.
“If we do not cast our votes for you, we are deceiving ourselves. We have passed through series of political era. We understand what government is all about.
“We are ready to vote for you. We have our PVCs and we will cast our votes for you. We have been suffering but we are convinced that when you become governor, our sufferings will be over.”
The retirees insisted that Gbagi remains the governorship candidate with the best credentials, affirming that the business mogul has the solution to the myriads of challenges bedeviling the state.
In his remarks, Gbagi, whose heart is for the downtrodden, particularly the senior citizens said from May 29th this year, any civil servant who would retire under his government, would leave the office with his/her cheque containing their benefits.
While disclosing that Delta is the richest state in Nigeria and among 42 independent countries, the Criminologist said the state has no reason to owe retirees who have served the state for 35 years.
He swore that his government would never owe pensioners immediately he takeover government house on May 29, 2023.
He said his administration has no business stealing money that belongs to the masses, adding that he has never stolen government money as he is blameless in terms of corruption and character.
He explained that from June 1, 2023 any retiree from then would receive their cheques before leaving office while retirees prior to his swearing in on May 29 would be paid on a monthly basis until their money is fully defrayed.
“I will make sure your disappointment with the present administration does not continue. Your money will be paid. Go and vote for somebody who will change the narrative.
“But you will suffer more unless you take the bold step on Saturday, March 11. If you do not take responsibility on Saturday, you will suffer more.
“The money is your money. It is your right. But you allow them to use few naira to buy your conscience. It is the money you contributed.
“You contributed the money to take care of yourself at your retirement. When I take over on May 29, we will begin to pay all retirees in Delta state”, Gbagi said.
