DELTA GUBER RACE: ONLY GOD CAN STOP ME – GBAGI * To Give Employment To Thousands of Deltans in First 60 Days As Gov.

Tejiri Ebikeme

Francis Sadhere

Former Education Minister, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi has said that only God can stop him from becoming the next governor of Delta State in 2015, adding that he has all it takes to turn around the fortunes of the State.

The Delta State born industrialist stated this recently in an exclusive interview with National Reformer in his office at Golden Tulip Hotel, Effurun, Delta State.

He stated that those saying he is not a serious governorship aspirant were at liberty to say whatever they want to say.

According to him, the Urhobo people cannot go and sleep in 2015, describing power rotation as an insult on Deltans.

Olorogun Gbabi posited that he was in the Delta State gubernatorial race for real and said; “I want all Deltans to know that it is only God and only God that can stop me in the 2015 Delta State governorship election.”

He stressed that as a stakeholder in the State, and as somebody who has created job opportunities for many Deltans, there was no doubt that he has all it takes to make the State the envy of all.

The former minister called on Deltans to ‘shine their eyes’ and not allow people of questionable character to rule them, saying that 2015 was another opportunity for them to avoid past mistakes and do the right thing.

He opined that Delta had reached a state of quagmire whereby people should open their eyes to avoid deceit, urging the Urhobos to be wise in their selection of leaders.

Olorogun Gbagi said; “It is high time Deltans refused to allow those who are seeking for quick wealth to rule them. I have all it takes to take this state to an enviable height. Who are the players showing their heads today? What is their stake in the state? Urhobos should be wise because there is a political game plan going on in the air.”

He queried the rationale behind the zoning system being orchestrated by some people in the state, emphasizing that the system only encourages mediocrity as “no sane man would leave the affairs of his investment in the hands of a quack and so we must do away with power rotation and allow the best Deltan to rule the state.”

Olorogun Gbagi noted that there was nowhere in the world where the system of zoning was being practiced, adding that only the best hand should be allowed to run the affairs of any state.

Speaking on his chances at the 2015 election, Olorogun Gbagi said that his chances were bright and urged Deltans to give him the chance to rule them in 2015 and should not allow themselves to be deceived.

He said he was the most serious politician in Delta State despite what many people were saying about him, adding that he is the most visible Deltan because his investments in the state speaks volume for him.

He said; “I am the most visible Deltan you can ever see. I am the first black man to rise as an astute member of Rotary Club in the world and known for donating in cash, 250,000 dollars to help alleviate poverty in Delta State with specific instructions to educate Deltans.”

Commenting on the issue of unemployment in the state, Olorogun Gbagi advised government to allow the right drivers to take charge of affairs in all the different sectors of the economy.

He said; “We do not have enough Deltans to take the jobs we are going to create for Delta State. We have the Midas touch and we know what to do. In my 60 days in office as Delta State Governor, any Deltan all over the world that is unemployed, is that Deltan that has refused to come and work in the State. Let all administrators Nigeria find solutions to their problems. I, Gbagi, have the solution to Delta’s problems.”

He commended the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for acknowledging to the whole world that he (Gbagi) was the best citizen in Delta considering his level of investment in the state.

“People should not be criticizing Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. Uduaghan has done what he is capable of doing for the state. He cannot do everything. So let the people also allow me to do what I should do to move the state forward as I am prepared to transform Delta into a Europe. We must move the state to the next level. Delta should be allowed to take it pride of place in this country. I believe I can transform Delta State to one of the best cities in the world and we will be the envy of the world,” he said.

Commenting on his problem with the Deputy Governor of the State, Prof. Amos Utuama, Olorogun Gbagi told National Reformer that he had no problem with the Deputy Governor, adding that his only crime was that he was always saying the truth.

He said Utuama was his brother and nobody knew the deputy governor like he does since both of them had lived in the same house before.

He added that without being disrespectful, he stands by all he had said about Prof. Utuama, noting that he will continue to say the truth and stand by it.

Asked on his investment drive back home, Olorogun Gbagi said that he was driven by the passion to help his people back home, adding that his aim was to employ more Deltans in his private capacity and to set the pace for others to follow.

The PDP governorship aspirant revealed that he was converting his former Woodridge Hotel, located opposite Golden Tulip into an educational institution, saying works were ongoing to put a befitting Institute in the place.

On the high tension wires hovering around the building, Olorogun Gbagi said that there was no cause for alarm as all necessary safety measures had been put in place to avert any unwanted occurrence even before the structures were put in place.