Ahead of the governorship election in Delta State, the Local Government Area (LGA) Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Sapele local government area of the state, Chief Perkins Umukoro, has assured the leading governorship aspirant, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, of massive support.
The PDP LGA Chairman, gave the assurance on Thursday 10th January 2022, when he and his LGA Excos, Ward chairmen and Delegates received Olorogun Gbagi, at the party Secretariat to consultation with them on his gubernatorial ambition.
Chief Umukoro, told the philanthropist with track records spinning into many years and his entourage that, “I want to let you know that you are at home”.
Chief Umukoro, who could not hold back his feelings, went memory lane, disclosing that he and the gubernatorial hopeful attended Bishop Johnson Primary School together.
*I myself, Ito and your Principal, we attended Bishop Johnson Primary School. We knew each other years ago” he said.
He assured Gbagi that Sapele PDP Delegates would not disappoint him, saying that Gbagi should go to other local government areas to consult and canvas for support as he has already gotten victory in Sapele.
“The delegates that are here and 18 LGA Excos and 55 principal officers of the Ward, I want to let you know that in total, they are 73.
“I also want to let you know that the votes is 73/73. Your victory is here. We want to give you the victory and we are ready to give you the victory because if Gbagi enters today, all of us here, will benefit.
“He knows me by my name, we know him to his fathers house and family members. This is not hearsay. He is our own child and brother.
“This is the assurance we are giving you. Don’t bother yourself about Sapele, go to the other local governments. If you are going, contact me, I will delegate some people to join you”, he reiterated.
Elated Gbagi, known for his youth-friendliness and a renowned entrepreneur of decades with technical know-how decorated the 18 LGA executives, 55 Principal Officers, Delegates and others with his Campaign Cap crested with the inscription “Gbagi Trust 2023”.
He assured them that ailing industries like the African Timber and Plywood (AT&P) and Atlantic Club among other industries that made Sapele, for what it was, would be revamped.
While charging them to ask salient questions about those who would come to tell them lies, he said his industries are spread across the state as a private entrepreneur but would do more with government capacity to build industries that would engage the youths in meaningful enterprises.
He disclosed that he was not on the wanted list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Department of State Services (DSS), just as he revealed that some of the gubernatorial contenders have questions to answer from security agencies.
“Chairman, people will come to you, some of them cannot enter London because the London police are looking for them, EFCC had already marked their houses that they are thieves, they have stolen tax payers money. They will go and borrow some dollars and money they have stolen and gotten which they cannot account for.
“Search me, if the same is my case, do not vote for me. They are coming to deceive you to destroy your foundation. EFCC, SSS and ICPC are not looking for me.
“I am in the race to change the narrative, we can change the fortune of all of us here so that our unborn children, our grandchildren will have hope. Check all of us and do what is right so that God will do for you what you cannot do for yourselves.
“I will not disappoint you if I become governor come 2023. All of you who are seated here, your expectations about me; of what I have to offer as a governor is high; and I do not want to come to you to give you excuses. I do not want that because I know God has been kind to me and what I have to offer in return is turn the situation here around,” he declared.
Meanwhile, the ancient city of Sapele, the administrative headquarter of Sapele local government area of Delta State was temporarily shutdown as youth groups including Hausa and Yoruba communities trooped into the streets to receive Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, leading governorship aspirant in the state.
As it is said: “a golden fish has no hiding place”, Gbagi, who was entering the ever busy town to consult the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Local Government Area (LGA), Executives, Ward Chairmen, Delegates and other stakeholders, met a mammoth crowd on his way to the PDP Secretariat, which caused heavy gridlock for several hours.
Motorists and other road users were forced to wait while impatient ones made use of alternative routes to their destinations.
The youths who joined the entourage in motorcades, hundreds of motorcycles popularly known as Okada, tricycles, also known as Keke, while others who matched like foot soldiers ready for war, chanted various songs of solidarity for the largest private investor in the state in support of his governorship ambition.
Gbagi, a man with so much respect for mankind along others made frantic efforts to dispel them for free flow of traffic but met brick walls until the convoy got to the PDP Secretariat, venue of the consultation where the 18 LGA Excos, 55 Principal Officers of the Ward and Delegates, totaling 73 persons and others were already seated.
