By Ovie Okpare
One of the leading governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has announced his withdrawal from the governorship primaries of the PDP slated for Wednesday May 25, 2023, in Asaba.
Gbagi, a former Minister of State for Education, accused aide-de-camp (ADC) to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Mr. Frank Omokhoje Longe, of threatening to shoot him when the governor met with state ad-hoc delegates at the Government House, Asaba, on Saturday.
He said Governor Okowa at the meeting with the ad-hoc delegates where he is one, directed his Chief of Staff, Chief Ovie Festus Agas, to inform him that he was not wanted at the meeting.
The former Minister in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, said he was pulling out of the governorship primaries since Governor Okowa failed to provide level playing field for all aspirants vying for the party’s governorship ticket.
The letter was titled “Threat to Life Anti-democratic Conduct by His Excellency Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa Governor Delta at Government House Asaba today 21/5/22 1.”
A copy of the letter obtained by NIGER DELTA TODAY on Monday partly reads, “Delegates to the PDP primaries elections were invited by His Excellency Senator Dr. Okowa on 21/5/22 for what was billed as a party meeting.
“In line with the Electoral Act 2022 in force, I emerged as an ad hoc delegate from my ward in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State
“On arriving at the Government House, Asaba the venue of the meeting I was surprised to be accosted by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Ovie Agas who pleaded with me that contrary to the message sent out inviting all ad hoc delegates he was requested by His Excellency to ensure that I and several other persons were not allowed into the venue.
“1 Insisted that as a former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as an ad hoc delegate I was entitled to be told the reason why I was persona non grata in a PDP event that some persons who are not quite two years old in the party are entitled to attend.
“When pleas by the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Delta State did not move me out of the premises of Government House, 1 was accosted by a gun toting ADC to the Governor Mr. Frank Ormokhoje Longe who told me he had orders to shoot me and nothing would happen if I did not immediately vacate the premises of Government House, Asaba. That I had been told that the Governor does not want me in PDP or any PDP meetings henceforth and I was still insisting on attending the meeting.”
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