Politics
What does future holds for Gbagi in Delta
By Hendrix Chukwudi
As the clock ticks towards 2023, the Nigerian political class is not leaving anything to chance as the political undercurrent swells up by the day, in alignments and realignments to capture power especially at the centre and the Federating states where there will be a transition from one administration to the other.
While a handful of states will have their state executives seek second term in the office, most states shall be having incumbents end their 8-year tenure and change of administrative batons ditto the Government at the centre.
2023 is a year pundits say can make or mar the country as usual but unfolding events point to the fact that the transition period shall come and go peacefully as in the past. Despite doomsday prediction by some persons.
However, the state to watch out for in the league of transitional governments is Delta State. The state where one man, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, is currently holding sway as the next man to mount the saddle of leadership in the State Government House having paid his dues in politics over the years; virtually in all ramifications.
Olorogun Gbagi has left no one in doubt as to his readiness to become the next Executive Governor of the oil-rich state and he has since time immemorial set machinery in motion to ensure that his dream of growing Delta State to an enviable height is not defeated in any way.
A real estate and security mogul, Gbagi is undoubtedly one of the richest lawyers Nigeria has ever produced rising through the excruciating poverty into prominence, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stalwart is a colossus, unbeatable, most qualified, most acceptable. A statesman to the core with the needed broad mind to lead heterogeneous big heart state. He is also a self-made man. A gentleman per excellence. Some of his followers see him as a miracle worker.
On one man one vote, Olorogun Gbagi will beat his opponent(s) if any, before 2 p.m on the day of the party’s primary election because the philanthropist and entrepreneur of no mean repute have overwhelmingly won the hearts of his party men and women who crave his emergence and ready to ensure he flies the flag of the party he has worked for over the years.
As the first measure, the former Minister of State for Education has reached out to his Urhobo kinsmen announcing to them in massive and sustained consultations to the traditional authority, clans, leaders and followers across the length and breadth of Urhoboland his intention to build on the progress visibly on ground and made possible by his party in the state. He has also diligently done the same in the other two senatorial districts of the state. Wherever he goes in the course of his consultation with the people, Olorogun Gbagi needs no introduction because he has always been around them in times of need and surplus.
Notable for his giant stride in philanthropy, Gbagi, has moved so many sons and daughters of Urhoboland nay other Deltans out of poverty just as he relentlessly engages indigent children of the very poor in vocational trainings just as many are under his scholarship scheme.
Call him the Chief Obafemi Awolowo, of his people, Olorogun Gbagi whose growth as a child was almost stunted by systemic neglect is not oblivious of the roles of education in a child’s life and this apart from being an educationist takes it upon himself to stand in gap become the very poor and western education.
To his credit many of would-have-being out of school children are: in school; graduates eking out a living in all facets of life. His achievements in these areas are not hidden from the Delta public who are surging out in support for him to become the governor in 2023.
Across the three Senatorial Districts and ethnic divides, Olorogun Gbagi has been able to arrest the consciousness and the peoples’ followership because they desire massive development that business mogul is willing to offer.
Olorogun Gbagi has traversed the state capturing the people as a grassroots politician who has the capacity to hold his own anywhere in the world, no matter the circumstance.
Of all who may challenge him at the polls, none can boast of half of his credentials let alone meet his humanitarian services to communities across the state.
He spends like Rockefeller, liquid to a fault and too rich to be poor, the astute politician has reached the peak of humanitarianism and the people are poised to give back no matter how little that man who has been there for them over the years and this accounts for why his name is a household name in the “big heart” state.
In 2023, Olorogun Gbagi is willing to carry everyone along even across party divides, he is popular and he is the peoples’ choice.
Some persons see Olorogun Gbagi as a phenomenon — an enigma of some sort— an idea whose time has come and no one can stop it. Unlike other political hardsells, Olorogun Gbagi is a special marketable brand for his party; easy to sell to the electorates with uncommon political values added, the Oginibo, Ughelli South-born political leader will surely attract cheap victory to his party.
by the good people of Delta State; first, by his political party, those saddled with the responsibility of choosing who flies the flag should consider the need for a greater Delta, greater people and greater destiny while the masses of the people gear up to elect him at the polls.
With Olorogun Gbagi in the saddle, Delta State will be thrust up among the first three states with largest economies.
Hendrix Chukwudi, writes from Okpanam in Delta State
Breaking: Speaker Obasa Debunks Allegation Of Spending N17b On Assembly Gate
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Thursday described the allegation that the House spent N17 billion on the fixing of a gate as spurious and funny.
A self-proclaimed group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, had accused the Assembly of spending the amount to construct a gate. The group also sought investigation of the claim.
Speaking at plenary, Dr. Obasa said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over 2027 which is still more than two years away.
Obasa further debunked the claim that the House spent N200 million on its recently organised 22nd thanksgiving service for staff.
“It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we expended 200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.
“We are aware that at a period like this when we are approaching elections in 2027, we should expect such things. I think some people are scared and I don’t know why.
“This House did not and has not embarked on any such project. We are not that reckless. We had our thanksgiving last Friday and dignitaries from various parts of the State attended it,” the Speaker said.
Addressing further claims by the group about the alleged relationship between him and the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, the Speaker denied attending the latter’s screening and confirmation by the National Assembly.
“They said that I was at the National Assembly when they were confirming the EFCC chairman. I want to believe that there are CCTV cameras at the National Assembly to identify those who attended the event. The press must have written about it too. So the group should do more to confirm if I was there.
“This is just to deny the allegations in the interest of the public and not the writers because the writers are not those we should be joining words with,” the Speaker said.
Earlier, the House, through its spokesperson, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, had addressed the allegations noting that the Assembly bases its activities on integrity, transparency and accountability.
“It is ludicrous the claim about constituency intervention funds and constituency project funds and their handling by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko as claimed by the group.
“One would have expected a self-acclaimed anti-corruption crusading group to do its groundwork before jumping across the fence with conviction that it hit a jackpot to malign an institution of repute in the name of politics.
“Simply put, the Lagos State House of Assembly does not have any such funds. The Assembly does not embark on constituency projects. Instead, once every year, the House holds stakeholders’ meetings simultaneously across the state where constituents have the opportunity to tell the lawmakers their expectations and make requests for the betterment of the state.
“These requests and expectations are compiled and sent to the executive arm of government for consideration as inputs in subsequent budgets. If this is what the group takes as constituency intervention or project funds, we are sure this explanation has given the required education, moreover, it is common knowledge that it is the responsibility of the Executive arm to execute such projects,” the earlier statement by Ogundipe read.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Edo LG Chairmen Reject Suspension, Urge Adherence to Court Judgments
By Ifeoma Ikem
Edo State local government chairmen have denounced their alleged suspension by the State House of Assembly as illegal, urging the governor and lawmakers to respect court rulings affirming their tenure and authority.
On December 17, reports emerged that the Assembly suspended all 18 council chairmen and their deputies following Governor Monday Okpebholo’s petition alleging gross misconduct and insubordination. The petition cited Section 10(1) of the Edo State Local Government Law (2000) as its basis.
However, the chairmen, through their legal counsel, Ogaga Ovrawah (SAN), contend that this provision had been declared unconstitutional in a judgment by the Edo State High Court in Suit No. B/257OS/2024. The court established the chairmen’s tenure as a three-year term commencing September 4, 2023.
The council leaders also referenced a Supreme Court judgment voiding state governors’ and assemblies’ authority to interfere with local government administration. They emphasized that their suspension contradicts existing judicial rulings and remains a legal nullity.
A recent interim order from the Edo High Court further restrained the government from obstructing the councils’ operations, assets, and funds. Despite being served notices of these judgments, the chairmen argue that the governor and assembly acted in defiance of the judiciary.
The embattled chairmen called for the governor to withdraw his request to the Assembly and for the lawmakers to rescind their resolution, warning of potential constitutional crises if the orders are ignored.
They urged security agencies to enforce court rulings, safeguard local government properties, and ensure the continuity of governance.
“The rule of law must prevail,” they stated, pledging to remain committed to their constitutional duties.
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