Prior to the defection of Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the party was one of the unknown parties in Delta state. Though it had a name as a party, it was never reckoned with as a party of importance in the state. Over the years of its existence, it had never campaigned for a candidate of gubernatorial status as Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi. Gbagi’s entrance into the party brought it to limelight and lifted it to a pinnacle of recognition.
The sacked state chairman, Oke Idawene, prior to Gbagi’s entrance, was only known as a party chairman but had no influence whatsoever in the state. His party was the least known and given any recognition both in the mainstream, online or social media platforms in the state. He had never flagged a guber candidate who could summon the campaign that Gbagi single-handedly executed within the period under review in Delta state. The biggest the party had ever done was to run a poster of an unknown guber candidate who will never campaign in any community in Delta state.
The poster was only used to hoodwink Deltans and show off a candidate who would never campaign for elections. SDP then was a dead and partly buried party in Delta state. The party made headlines in Nigeria in the days of late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, MKO Abiola, when he flew the party’s flag for the 1993 presidential election. MKO won the election glaringly but the powers that be then blocked his ascendance to the powerhouse. That was when SDP made headlines, shook the nation and the name was respected and honoured by power players in the political circle.
Then, the party had good and human face programmes for the welfare of Nigerians. It had plans for social justice and provision of jobs for unemployed Nigerians. It was not used then a platform to collect money from gullible Nigerians and hoodwink the unsuspecting young politicians who have good minds to change the lives of poor Nigerians.
In Delta, the party had never won any election into any of the strata of elective offices, either at the state or national assembly. It was relatively unknown among power brokers but Gbagi, knowing his personality, carriage and clout, after defecting from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, felt his influence would blow up the party and bring it to limelight. And so, in June 2022, Olorogun Gbagi took the bull by the horn and joined the SDP. His defection to the SDP made headlines in almost all national dailies and all online media across the country. That was the beginning of the rise of SDP in Delta.
As soon as he joined the party, the campaigns were planned and Gbagi began moves from one local government area to the other. Gbagi, a former minister of state for education, was determined to write the name of SDP in the heart of the people of Delta state. He was determined to change the narrative and make SDP one of the biggest parties in Delta state. One thing important about Gbagi is that anything he puts his hands, he must ensure it is successfully executed and results obtained. As the campaigns hit the airwaves, Gbagi and his team went to town with the message of hope, transformation, industrialisation and a better life for all. Political watchers agreed that Gbagi had one of the best programmes for Delta state during the campaigns.
Despite funding his campaigns single-handedly and also funding party members, he toured all the 25 local government areas in the state. This was one of the most unprecedented political campaigns in the history of Delta state. This is so because it was solely sponsored by one person who was never tired to enter every nook and cranny of the state. Rallies, road shows, town hall meetings, consultations to big shots and others were carried out. Jingles were produced, all in a bid to project the party and bring it to limelight in Delta. Gifts of different forms, such as free fuel, scholarships and prizes were given to some deserving Deltans based on fulfillment of certain criteria during the campaigns and rallies.
Parents, students, keke and okada riders and youths benefited immensely from the good heartednesss and benevolence of Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi. Smiles were put on many faces, many youths went home from campaign grounds with broad smiles on their faces, all courtesy of Gbagi’s attempt to make SDP a party of repute in Delta state. Gbagi’s influence grew the party to the extent that churches, pastors, Muslims and many other groups were subscribing to the campaign manifesto of Gbagi. His manifesto was a big boost to the state as it was aimed at lifting living standard of Deltans and jacking up their financial base through well planned industrialization programmes.
Gbagi’s objective in all the campaign grounds and rallies was to put SDP in the heart and mouth of every Deltan and others living and operating business ventures in the state. He toured almost all communities in Delta central, a greater part of Delta North and Delta South. He visited Isoko North and South communities, he visited Burutu, Bomadi and Patani, he visited Tompolo’s visited in Wari South West, he spent greater part in Warri South. In Urhobo land, he visited Sapele, Ethiope East and West, Ughelli North and South, Udu, Uvwie, Ndokwa, Aniocha, Ika and the Oshimili zones. All this was to take SDP to every nook and cranny of Delta state.
So, Gbagi made spirited efforts to make SDP a party to reckon with in Delta state in less than 10 months of joining the party that was drowning when he came in. But as it is common in other political parties, like PDP, APC and the recent darling Labour Party, there is no party without some internal crisis. Labour Party is at present being torn to shreds by party leaders, the APC and the PDP had their share of challenges. The PDP lost the presidency probably due to the battle it waged with Governor Nyesom Wike and his G5 members. The Labour Party has been torn apart by leaders who crave for power and access into the treasury and other power tussle.
So, it is not uncommon for parties to have crisis. But to wish away the powerful contribution of Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi to the development of SDP in Delta is to say the least most uncharitable. So, the sacked state chairman, Oke Idawene, and his disgruntled crew members should leak their wounds and allow Gbagi be. Gbagi is a man of timber and caliber. He is a man of no mean repute. He is not a push over. He goes for the best and has never been a failure. Accusing him of doing harm to SDP in Delta is the height of irresponsibility and wickedness of party members in the state. Gbagi has contributed much to the economy of Delta state. He has employed many youths and created business opportunities for many.
Idawene and his team should go and rest, having been sacked by the national leadership of the party. His boastfulness will take him nowhere. He should accept his failures, accept party disciplinary measures and reconcile with his party leaders. This, at the moment, is the best path to follow.
