The National leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has said the governorship candidate of the party in Delta State, Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi remains the party’s guber candidate in the state.
The party insisted that it would continue to support him as the flag bearer of the party as he emerged through a process.
The party further noted that the former minister of state for education was not forced on the party and its members.
In a statement on Sunday April 30th 2023, personally signed by the National Vice Chairman, South-south, Elder Fred Owotorufa, and copied to National Chairman, Secretary and Governorship candidate of the party in the State, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, he expressed shock at the unwanted attacks on Gbagi and some national leaders by some of the party leaders in the state.
According to Elder Owotorufa, “he (Gbagi) was not foistered on the party and its membership.
“A process produced him and he ran his campaign to the best of his abilities.
“You may not agree with his style or approach. He remains, and is the governorship candidate of the SDP”, he reiterated.
The statement titled: “Rumpus in SDP Delta State: The General Elections 2023”, was addressed to the state chairman, SDP Delta State – 0ke Idawene, the Deputy State Chairman, SDP Delta State – Esther Ikule (Mrs) and the Ag. State Secretary – Chief Gabriel Ibede
Others are the Senatorial Vice Chairman, North – Peter Isioma Okaegwu, the Senatorial Vice Chairman, South – Clint Amor, the Senatorial Vice Chairman, Central – Mike Dugbo, members of SDP Delta State Working Committee and members and stakeholders of SDP, Delta State
See the full text below
Sunday April 30, 2023
The State Chairman, SDP Delta State – 0ke Idawene
The Deputy State Chairman, SDP Delta State – Esther Ikule (Mrs)
The Ag. State Secretary – Chief Gabriel Ibede
The Senatorial Vice Chairman, North – Peter Isioma Okaegwu
The Senatorial Vice Chairman, South – Clint Amor
The Senatorial Vice Chairman, Central – Mike Dugbo
Members of SDP Delta State Working Committee
Members & Stakeholders of SDP, Delta State
Rumpus in SDP Delta State: The General Elections 2023
I have observed with deep concern the statements, posts, interviews and commentaries on social media, newspapers, and various platforms of our great party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in relation to the handling of the 2023 general elections by the party, governorship candidate, other candidates and stakeholders.
2. Various issues have been thrown up touching on the overall elections. The space has increasingly become a macabre dance that has continued unabated. Some of the commentaries are regretably venomous, unguarded and vehement.
3. With hindsight, interventions by some of our foremost and revered national leaders have been rebuffed and condemned angrily, with undeserving derogatory comments and insults without caution nor remorse. Some have gone on to malign and impugn the character, honor, integrity and hard-earned reputation of such leaders. This is most disingenious, repulsive and undignifying.
4. As leaders and members of a disciplined party, we must exercise maximum self-restraint and do better in managing our loss, frustration and disappointment with equanimity, respect and decorum. The unceasing attacks on our governorship candidate, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, should cease.
He was not foistered on the party and its membership. A process produced him and he ran his campaign to the best of his abilities. You may not agree with his style or approach. He remains, and is the governorship candidate until he has run through the election petition that he has filed already, to challenge the conduct and outcome of the election. As a party, we must play by the dictates of the SDP constitution 2022, as amended. This cannot be supplanted.
5. As you are well aware, the suit is pending before the judiciary. Therefore, we are NOT to make comments that could be prejudicial to the cause of justice, or undermine the process and integrity of the tribunal/court or do anything that is at variance with our Party and its Constitution 2022, as amended.
6. Please, take note: whether as a party, or as candidate(s), some hard lessons have been learnt on both sides. The Delta State chapter cannot sit in judgment over the candidate or vice versa. The national leadership is sensitive to all the issues and has the capacity to deal with them, as well as emerging issues and patterns at the right time. The National Working Committee will not be goaded to take any precipitate action thereby. It will deal with all issues judiciously and appropriately.
7. Given the foregoing, I urge that you should refrain henceforth from making any derogatory or inflammatory statements, posts or commentaries. Be reminded that unity is strength. Together, we shall overcome our current challenges and build and grow a virile party that has its foundation rooted in good governance and social justice.
God bless SDP!
God bless Delta State!!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Fred E. Owotorufa, MNIM, CFE, FICA National Vice Chairman, South South Social Democratic Party
Cc: National Chairman
National Secretary
Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, OON
