Chief Kenneth Gbagi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Gubernatorial aspirant for Delta State 2023, has tasked the leadership of the party to ensure transparency in the governorship primaries.
Gbagi, an industrialist, gave the advice on Wednesday while declaring his intention to run for the governorship position known to the State PDP Executive Committee at the Party’s Secretariat in Asaba.
He said the state could not afford to choose a candidate that would bring a setback to the state’s economy, given the progress made by the incumbent, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
“Members of this committee, a number of you must have known me by reputation, by that I mean, I possess the capacity.
“I am not telling you what I intend to do as governor, but what I have already done in this state as a private entrepreneur.
“The day you make claims of what you want to do with taxpayers’ money as a basis for you to be voted in as governor is gone.
“We want men and women that, by their own self and capacity, have created industries, employment and with the capacity to reach out to other world and by the mere mention of their name, what Governor Okowa has done in the state would be an addition.
“So, in your individual selves, I am there for you to search, I have what it takes. Delta state I must tell you is rich but we need an entrepreneurial mind to tap it.
“Delta requires a name that the party will be proud of as your governor, you have a duty to ensure in the six years you have worked with Governor Okowa to take the state to this level to come with somebody with clean hands to take the state to another level,” he said.
Gbagi added, “I have what it takes, and trust me when it comes to the security of this nation, I have played my role and those benefits, I will bring to bear.
“However, I am not here to campaign today, I am here to tell you that by the grace of God I will contest the governorship election come 2023.
“Sir, I am pleading with you and your members because you will be all collectively involved in this arrangement that is before us that you consider a lot of all of us and the children yet unborn and choose who can deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
”Responding, Chief Kingsley Esiso, State PDP Chairman, assured that the party elections would continue to be transparent.
He said that the party is on course and on a rescue mission and to rebuild Nigeria, adding that everyone who is qualified to continue at any position has the right to aspire.“It is obvious that the tenure of the Governor Okowa-led administration would soon come to an end and another candidate takes over.
“And come 2023, a new governor will take over the saddle from the incumbent, and today we have a lot of people that are interested to contest.
Aspiration is free and anybody who believes that he or she is qualified is free to contest.
“It is the responsibility of all aspirants to go to the field and prove to the people and the party that they should be the chosen one.
“The party executives are neutral and it is our responsibility to provide a level-playing ground for all aspirants, and at the end, only one candidate will emerge to represent the party.
“So, Sir, you are very free to crisscross the entire 270 wards and 25 local government areas of the state to seek the support of party men and women just as other aspirants have the right to do the same thing,” Esiso said.
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