Former Minister of State for Education and governorship hopeful under the auspices of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, has stated that he is the most qualified individual to take over leadership of Delta state come 2023
Kenneth Gbagi, while fielding questions during a courtesy visit to members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Delta State Council at the Union’s temporary secretariat in Asaba, said he is the only ex-minister in the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration yet to be invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning on misappropriation of public funds.
According to him, “during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration I was the 42nd minister and till date, I remain the only ex-minister that has not been invited to discuss theft because there was no need for it. When it comes to public funds, I don’t steal, as a journalist go and ask Google I have rejected three ministerial appointments so it is not about money.
“Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration was the best ever in Nigerian history. The Goodluck Jonathan’s administration under my supervision created 13 universities in the country, over 7 collages of education and various model and Almajiri schools in almost all the northern states to bridge the literacy gap in the region.
“I challenge all other aspirants in the governorship race to showcase their balance sheets because I am ready with my own. I am proud of what I have, I am proud of my records, I have no hidden records anywhere and I do not see anybody who can present a clean record of his finances of what he has done and where he has been making money from these past years. As stakeholders you will agree with me that anyone who built house or houses during this Okowa’s administration has nothing to offer.
“As an industrialist, the greatest investor in Delta state, I will build on what Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has done. Okowa has proven to be a good administrator, and I wish him to finish very strong. I will never want the state to go back again because we have seen what eight good years can mean. I will build 100 industries in my first 100 days in office. I have done my research; I have the towns and local government areas where these industries will be sited. The goal is to remove every youth from the street.
“Governor Okowa is doing very well, he is one of the greatest politicians of our time and I know that he will not hand over the state to anybody that will not build on his legacies. Thank God for the arrival of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State was the most backward State in the country due to bad eight years of leadership. When you see the revenue coming in from the federal account and internally generated revenue compared to the level of development then, you will discover we were nowhere.”
Speaking further, the former minister berated journalist for being part of the problem facing the country today. He said, “I must be frank with you, you guys are part of the problem we have in the country today. Journalists today are ready to write and publish anything against anyone just because of little financial rewards. Journalists today do not speak truth against power. When you see someone that is a thief, you call him a saint, journalist are ready to do anything just for peanuts.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of Delta States council of the NUJ, Comrade Mike Ikeogwu noted that members of the state council are professionals who pride themselves in truth, equity and fairness, adding that the union would be a major participant in forthcoming elections in the state and country to ensure selection of credible leaders.
