By the resounding victory Deltans gave Olorogun Felix Ibru, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), against his rival in the National Republican Convention (NRC), Eric Opia, in the December 14th, 1991 election, Delta State should show same resilience that it truly yearns for its liberation from the grips of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) by voting SDP in 2023.
The gubernatorial election was conducted using an open ballot system also known as option A4. Primaries for the two parties to select their flag bearers were conducted on October 19, 1991.
In the history of Nigeria, SDP won the election widely adjudged as the most freest, fairest and credible election in the 1993 presidential and the 1991 governorship elections in Delta State respectively.
SDP and NRC were founded by the former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida while
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, popularly known as MKO, was its presidential candidate, Olorogun Felix Ibru, was its governorship candidate in Delta.
And as anti-APC and PDP sentiments rise under the Muhammadu Buhari and Ifeanyi Okowa administrations, SDP draws quick blood by posturing as a viable alternative or a third force in the forthcoming election.
The party, SDP, has a dynamic personality without blemish, a figure to reckon with nationwide and internationally, in the person of Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, FNIM, a former minister of State for education and largest private investor in the state as its gubernatorial candidate in the 2023, general election.
After the return to civil rule in 1999, the PDP won control of Delta State with Chief James Onanefe Ibori as governor till 29 May 2007.
Then, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, took over from 2007 to 2015 and the incumbent, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, took the mantle from 2015 till date with no development.
How Felix Ibru became governor
The then military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, thought that because all Urhobos were in NRC and believed that they were gullible people, he decided to impose Eric Opia, as governorship candidate on them.
The Urhobos, their apex decision making body, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), the traditional rulers, Chief Mukoro Mowoe, and a few people backed by other ethnic nationalities in Delta State, came together in the middle of the night and took a decision to move to SDP overnight.
According to research, they went to Lagos to meet Olorogun Michael Ibru, of blessed memory to give them his younger brother, Olorogun Felix Ibru, to run as governor of the State.
That was how Michael Ibru, one of the greatest patriots of Urhobo, released Olorogun Felix Ibru to come and run as governor under SDP.
Corroborating this, a man that could be described as an Encyclopedia and a living legend with the history of Urhobo nation, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, said: “On that day, and that marked the history where I decided that I will die Urhobo and return Urhobo, the queue of SDP, was 100 times that of NRC line.
Addressing Urhobo traditional rulers under the auspices of Urhobo Traditional Rulers Forum at the palace of the oldest king in Nigeria, the Owhorode of Olomu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty (HRM), Dr. (Ovie) R.L. Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro 1, Gbagi said: “In your very before, the same situation is on ground now and God is playing another cycle of such history.
“Urhobos believed that because Olorogun Felix Ibru, was a businessman who will not steal their money rather he will use it to develop the State, they voted for him massively.
“He was an honest man. There is no genuine businessman who will like to destroy his name by stealing your money.
“This is the time for Urhobo and the entire State to come under the SDP platform and reject the Peoples’ Democratic Party and APC just as they shun party politics and supported SDP during Felix Ibru’s days.
“SDP has done it before and it will do it again. Deltans should jettison political party and go for someone, an individual who can liberate the state from further impoverishment.
“The 2023 governorship election in Delta State shouldn’t be on party basis. It should be on capacity, competence, connection and ability to deliver on the dividends of democracy”, he said.
Dr. Okowa, who is presently imposing Sheriff Oborevwori on Deltans amidst discrepancies uncovered in the results he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), equally extolled the sterling qualities of Olorogun Felix Ibru when he said: ” the late patriot and political icon led the state at its embryonic stage, and will be missed by those whose lives he touched in many diverse ways in his achievements-laden life”.
Also, the Director of Administration, Ibru, Organization, Henry Muogho, in his article on the life and times of Olorogun Felix Ibru said: “When Olorogun Ibru was elected Governor of Delta State from 1992-1993, he laid the Master Plan of Asaba, the state capital that till today, is the reference point for all subsequent Governors of the state.
“In whatever area of life he found himself, he endeavoured to leave profound impact. In his brief tenure as governor, he elevated the then College of Education, Abraka to a full fledged Delta State University.
“When he was elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Fourth Republic, he left no one in doubt that he was of noble spirit, a technocrat, a peacemaker, and a bridge builder. He never shirked from his legislative responsibilities.
“He was the one who, chaired the committee that produced the country’s first ever National Pensions Commission (PENCOM). All his colleagues in the Senate would attest to the fact that Senator Felix Ibru was a dependable ally in the Senate.
“Former Senate President, David Mark, recently described Senator Ibru as one of the best hands from 2003 – 2007 Senate.
“Senator was at various times, member of the Constitution Drafting Committee, who worked tirelessly with others to bestow on Nigeria, a workable Constitution.
He was hard to miss as a result of charisma, friendship, humility, intelligence and his impeccable white dressing.
“Uncle Felix kept his friends and staff forever! They were true and stuck to him because he was a good man. From his PA, physician, driver and his boyhood friends, nobody has moved. Uncle Felix walked with confidence and grace. He wasn’t afraid to speak up.
“He shared his talents with the world, He was one in a million. He had a sense of humour. Olorogun would say something and not know it was funny. He never knew he was telling a joke. It was a privilege to work with and for him and his adorable elder brother. He was somebody that you aspire to be like.
“Olorogun Ibru understood that the Urhobo people had a unique cultural point of view when it comes to fashion and style. He generously shared his style. Uncle Felix generously shared his understanding of life with the world.
“A man of honour and complete integrity, Senator Ibru believed that business begins with sincerity and that perseverance leads to success. People can forgive mistakes, ambition, etc, but they can never get over distrust. To him, Godliness is simply being kind and loving to people on earth”.
Gbagi Is seen as the candidate to beat — Adirhiri Thomas, Nigeria Police Press
“Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi has combed every part of the state, dishing out his vision and programmes for the good of the state.
“Ordinarily, Gbagi is already made. His chain of business and investments are enough to feed generations.
“But this man has vision to govern Delta so as to bring in his entrepreneurial skills to transform the state. On several fora, Gbagi has told Deltans his dream and aspirations for the future of Delta state.
“He has said he would build industries, housing for all and create jobs for all youths in the state and from all indications, Olorogun Gbagi is standing by his words.
“He is seen as the candidate to beat in the forthcoming elections. He is an independent minded person and he has the mind to surmount pressure from any quarter and do the will of the people”, he stated.
This is where the Social Democratic Party (SDP), a social movement with the aim of liberating the state with its programmes and policies of youth emancipation and payment of N30 to every youth of Delta origin, employment, good health facilities, infrastructural and human capital development, free education comes in.
