Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba
Youths in Delta State have been charged to take active and positive part in activities towards the 2023 general election in Nigeria as they are stakeholders who have a crucial role to play in determining the success of the critical electoral exercise in the country.
Former Education Minister and prominent 2023 governorship aspirant in Delta State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, gave the charge while addressing youths at separate fora in Ethiope West and Ughelli South, both in Delta Central senatorial district of the state.
The lawyer and entrepreneur urged youths while speaking at Idjere Grammar School ground, Jesse in Ethiope West and at his Oginigbo country home in Ughelli South to ensure that they obtain their permanent voter’s card (PVC), saying it would be the real proof of their readiness to exercise their franchise in 2023.
The criminologist also urged youths who were yet to do so to register for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC), to enable them exercise their franchise and constitutional rights.
He said that unless they registered for their PVC, they would not be able to cast their votes for him during the 2023 governorship election.
Gbagi also urged them to continue to support the incumbent Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, in prayer and action to enable his administration to finish his second term in office on high note.
While noting that Governor Okowa has done well in Delta Central, including the Idjerhe (Jesse) kingdom, considering the numerous construction of roads and other infrastructure, he added that only the state government could not do it alone without the support of the people.
The governorship hopeful, who stated that he was well prepared for the governorship in 2023 with a distinct blueprint for job creation and youth empowerment if elected governor, posited that if Deltan youths continue to give the governor necessary support, he could do more for the kingdom even in the remaining part of his tenure.
Ggbagi said, “Governor Okowa has constructed roads for us but we all know that one person cannot do everything at once. After Governor Okowa, by God’s grace, hands over to me, by the time I do one, two, three years, very visible development would have come to Idjerhe kingdom.
“I don’t know any other person that is parading himself to be governor after Okowa who is from Idjerhe kingdom. I am your own, this one has come to Idjerhe kingdom, we must take this opportunity home, don’t allow anyone to destabilise the process. Go and call your kinsmen and register for your PVC. It is only your votes that can do it. If you don’t register, what will you use to vote for me?”
Earlier, Gbagi formally declared his governorship ambition before the Idjerhe Council of Chiefs at the Palace of Idjerhe monarch, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Udurie I, and other eminent sons and daughters of Idjerhe kingdom. The front-line governorship aspirant similarly presented himself to the youths of the kingdom which happens to be his maternal home.
He was received by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Mr. John Nani, at his country home.
The former Commissioner for Environment and the Idjerhe Political Leader, accompanied the former Minister of Education, to the Palace of Idjerhe traditional ruler where the aspirant was formally received prior to addressing the youths.
