Omo-Agege first guber candidate to visit Gbokoda

* Vexed at deplorable condition of residents

* Promises hospital, electricity, potable water

By Jon Egie

43 years after Chief Obafemi Awolowo visited Gbokoda for campaign, Omo-Agege has become the first governorship candidate to visit the Itsekiri community.

Hon David Yinka Atie, House of Assembly candidate of the APC for Warri North, Bawo Kutu, youth leader of Ajamita, a neighbouring Community to Gbokoda, Engr Olley Endurance, PRO of Gbokoda Community and Prince Engr Evans Omatsogunawa all confirmed the revelation and expressed hope that the visit would usher in great things to the community

“This has never happened before in the history of politics in our local government area, that we have a governorship candidate come to the ward level”. Hon David Yinka Atie said.

“He is the first governorship candidate to come here. Awolowo was the last person to come here in 1979 and his visit brought many good things and we are sure this epoch making visit of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege will bring great things to us”. Engr Olley Endurance enthused.

Coroborating, Prince Engr Evans Omatsogunawa a native of Gbokoda and representative of the Delta South senatorial district candidate, Joel Onowakpo said Awolowo was the first national figure to come here to campaign and when he came he identified with the people.

Itsekiri political leaders who joined in receiving Omo-Agege were, Chief Ayiri Emami, Prince Yemi Emiko and Omasuyi Tuoyo.

Omo-Agege speaking at the Gbokoda campaign ground

Speaking at the campaign rally ground Omo-Agege said it took him two hours to leave Warri by boat ride to berth at Gbokoda.

“All that came through my mind as we arrived is that this is an oil bearing area. The bulk of the money we receive by way of 13 per cent oil derivation is a function of this local government, Warri North. But look at the area, is there any development that is commensurate to your contribution? In spite of this marginalization you still have some Itsekiri people clamouring that wherever Okowa goes there we will go. Somebody is using your money to enslave you and you are clapping and dancing after him? It is your contribution to the national economy that qualified Delta State to receive 3.5 trillion naira which Okowa has collected for the past seven and a half years and on top of that, Okowa and Sheriff have borrowed over N400 billion. Okowa didn’t consider any person of the Itsekiri nation important enough to site a tertiary institution in Itsekiri land. Why is Ejele and Uduaghan not angry and are dancing after Okowa? I am angry and I want the Itsekiri people to be angry. You have a chance to remedy this problem and make sure that everything that PDP and Okowa represent are chased away on election day.

“I am certain that Okowa has not stepped foot on Gbokoda and he has been governor for seven and a half years. Meanwhile, this is where the crude is produced, he won’t even come here to see the very deplorable condition the people are living.

“When I become governor, I will develop the Itsekiri nation. By the collaboration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, your son in-law as president, we will reactivate the Koko, Burutu and Warri ports. I will make sure that you have potable water. For two hours boat ride to Warri if a woman is on labour it would be very risky for mother and child, we will give an hospital and you do not need to boat ride for two hours before getting medical attention. Take it from me, when I become governor, you will get electricity so that our people can be happy and enjoy themselves.” Omo-Agege pledged.

Earlier, Chairman of the APC in Warri North local government area, Omatseye Asabase pledged to deliver all candidates of the party during the 2023 general elections.