The crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Delta State, on Friday worsened with the resignation of the Chairman of the party in the state, Ambassador Oke Idawene.
Amb. Idawene in his resignation letter to the Chairman, Isoko South Local Government Area through the Ward Chairman, Olomoro Ward Six stated that he cannot be in the same political party with the 2023 governorship candidate of the party, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, adding that “light and darkness has nothing in common.”
Political observers in their reactions to Idawene’s decision to resign his membership after piloting the affairs of the party for many years, believe that with this move, a mass exodus of party members is underway.
According to their anonymous reactions, Idawene held the party together for years with his administrative prowess and capacity to mobilize members during political contests.
Recall that early this week, several state executive members took Gbagi to the cleaners, just as they vowed not to.supoort his court case seeking to annul the victory of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
Just yesterday, Idawene led notable.leaders and members of the party on a courtesy call on the Governor-elect, Oborevwori.
In his address during the visit, Idawene said that they were not part of any litigation brought against the state Governor-Elect, by the SDP Governorship Candidate, adding that Chief Kenneth Gbagi imposed himself on members of the party in the State prior to the governorship.election.
Idawene also assured Oborevwori of his support and that of his loyalists before and after the swearing-in, saying he will rule the state for eight years.
Meanwhile, sources said that the visit of on Thursday to Oborevwori may have been prompted by the decision of the National Secretary to suspend Idawene and his executive and come up with a caretaker committee.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on Delta SDP to see the ripple effect of Idawene’s decision to dump the party.
On their parts, some of the members who have concluded plans to dump the party, said they cannot tolerate Gbagi.
