Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has tongue lashed Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, former Minister of State for Education over his statement about the visit of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to Delta State recently: “Reading through the statement credited to Gbagi, I found it very disturbing that someone who should be much more concerned about how we can build more bridges of unity rooted in equity, fairness and ethnic harmony, could descend to the arena to fan the embers of ethnic disunity and hatred, how could anybody imagine that as a Governor who had enjoyed and continue to enjoy the cooperation of royal fathers from across the different ethnic groups in the state, will take steps that will undermine the revered stool of our royal fathers, let alone taking a very well respected ethnic group like the Urhobos for granted.”

“It is further condemnable for anyone to disparage the Office of the Vice President more so when the sacrifice and the efforts of the Vice President is already engendering confidence in the entire Niger Delta region. I must make it clear that our determination to foster lasting peace that will pave way for a genuine development of the region cannot be sacrificed on the altar of politics of convenience laced in the guise of being an ethnic champion, as a Governor, I shall continue to defend our people.”