2023: Moment Frontline Governorship Hopeful In Delta Sat On Bare Floor With Okada Riders

The atmosphere literally became charged and was enveloped with ecstasy moment Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, a former Minister and leading governorship hopeful in Delta State left his seat and sat on bare floor with motorcyclists popularly known as the Okada riders for a group photograph during an event.

Gbagi’s action, according to political watchers in the state, has earned him a brownie point ahead the 2023 governorship election in the state.

It was learnt that the Okada riders were shocked and surprise when the former minister offered he was going to sit on the floor for the group photograph with them, a development which triggered wide jubilation among the cyclists.

BIGPENNGR understands the former minister of state education made the gesture while playing hosting to an enlarged gathering of members of the National Association of Okada Union at his country home Oginibo, Ughelli south local government area of the state.

The motorcyclists were at the home of Gbagi on Monday, 10 May 2021 to show solidarity for his governorship ambition ahead 2023 race to Government House Asaba.

Addressing the mammoth crowd, the foremost industrialist turned politician,  tasked the Okada riders to ensure they register when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), would commence the Continuous Registration Exercise for those who are up to 18 years and above to register in order to enable them exercise their civic right to vote.

He appreciated them for their peaceful disposition and regards to the incumbent governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, whom he said when commended would be motivated to do more for Deltans.

Hear him: “I want to equally thank you that you have largely respected the governor of the state and let me tell you this, unless you work and pray for the governor, he can’t do much and if all we have is bad mouth, he will not do more. If you install a king, you worship him.

“If you all with one mind go and register because that will be done any moment from now. My appeal and request to you people today, is that everybody who is up to 18 years in your family that have not registered, enmass, go and register”, just as he charged them not to be afraid.

He reiterated that he is one among the three founding members of PDP, saying “When we founded the party, we didn’t found it for children who joined yesterday and those we gave Commissionership and work as Civil Servants to come and lead us. That was not how we planned it”, Gbagi added.

Gbagi, promised them that he would continue to support them to ensure that they do their job with ease.

“If they talk of motorcycles I have released just this year alone, is more than a thousand. What I am mostly happy about is that Okada people in Delta State are largely peaceful.

The governorship hopeful, hinted of his plans to industrialize the state in order to create job opportunities for the youths, assuring that they would be gainfully employed.

Earlier, the Union has asked the Peoples’ Democratic Party, to allow the leading governorship aspirant in the state and former minister of education, Olorogun Gbagi, to fly the party’s governorship ticket come 2023.

Mr. Lawrence Usemoney, who led members from Ughelli south, Ughelli north, Udu and Burutu local government areas, disclosed that they were moved by his passionate heart towards their welfare and positive responses each time members who are faced with one challenge or the other calls on him for assistance.

According to Usemoney, “all members of the association are in support of you as the next governor of our state.

“We equally call on our governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, that the grassroot is owned by Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi. They should give him the mandate to serve his people”, Usemoney, said.

The development is coming a day after Ughievwen youths, men and women unanimously asked him to contest for governor following his philanthropic gestures towards them.

Gbagi, a foremost industrialist and entrepreneur, is one of the pioneer fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State and has been on a consultation spree ahead of the 2023 governorship election in the state.

The youths had under the platform of Gbagi Grassroot Movement, stormed his Oginibo’s residence from where he was endorsed to run for the exalted seat come 2023.

Leader of the group, Comrade Oke Emuesiri Ogah, said that Gbagi has been tried, tested and has proven himself with sterling leadership qualities and character to become governor of the state.

“This time around, especially those of us from Otu-Jeremi axis said we are going to support Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi. Recently you gave out tricycles to youths. You are one of Urhobo illustrious sons that has been giving us support.

“You are not that kind of politician that we get there and begin to gather wealth for yourself. We believe that when you are there and we give you the full support, you are going to industrialize Delta State and that will lead to the creation of jobs for the youths and we are ready to work with you to the end.

“I must let you know that Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has been of good help to PDP since 1999, till date. He is one of the politicians that we have seen from Urhobo land that has not decamped to any other party since the onset.

“We are concern about someone like Gbagi because he has the interest of Deltans at heart and he has been giving a lot of scholarships to the youths of Ughelli south especially Ughievwen kingdom. If the party gives him the ticket he will do more than he has done when he was outside government”.