The national leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has disclosed that the state party chairman in Delta State, Mr. Oke Idawene, was used as a “scape goat’, due to his inability to get a protracted situation in the party in the State under control.
The national body also revealed that some members of the State Executive Committee, played unworthy roles in the matter.
In a letter dated May 2nd 2023 by the National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, said Mrs. Esther Ikule, would act for three months or as deemed appropriate by the National Working Committee (NWC).
Idawene, was equally accused of blatant anti-party activities, relentless, unneccessary and misguided media campaigns.
The South-south National Vice Chairman of the party, Elder Fred Owotorufa, said: “The press and social media war was launched against the governorship candidate, Gbagi by Idawene and his foot soldiers”.
Similarly, the embattled chairman, Idawene, on 19th April 2023, in a letter of instruction, with reference No. RE: PETITION NO. EPT/EL/GOV/02/2023, tagged GBAGI K. OMEMAVWA & SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY V. INEC AND 12 ORS, by one E.S Ogbomade, Esq., purportedly called for the withdrawal of petition of the governorship candidate of the party, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, from the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
The letter signed by the erstwhile chairman, reads: “We hereby brief you to represent the Social Democratic Party in the above names petition.
“Please, take steps to file the appropriate papers for the withdrawal of the Social Democratic Party and to strike out its name as petitioner in the aforementioned petition”.
According to Elder Owotorufa, “The letter is a blatant violation of Article 19:3(i), (ii) and (iii) of the SDP Constitution 2022, as amended.
“The intent of that letter is to frustrate the election petition filed by Kenneth Gbagi in favor of PDP etc and undermine the interests of our great party, SDP and the Candidate.
“It is abhorrent and should not be condoned under any circumstance” he stressed.
He said the Delta State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party under Idawene is on a dangerous slide, “It has unfortunately become a monster.
“It must be tamed without delay, in the overall interest of the party if we must prevent imminent disintegration”.
He revealed that Idawene has been State Chairman for more than (8) years, citing Article 18:1 SDP Constitution 2022, as amended relating to tenure of office.
