UGHELLI/Nigeria: A former Education Minister, Olorogun Keneth Gbagi had finally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, after loosing the bid to get the party’s ticket for the 2023 Delta Governorship Election, and now to run under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This was after days of speculation of his dumping the PDP for another party, and telling Deltans that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will hand over to him by May 29, 2023, as the party may not have candidate to contest the election.
Gbagi’s emergence is coming on the heels of his withdrawal from governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party held last week Thursday in Asaba, which before then he had said he had not withdrawn from the race, but only made complain of the injustice going on it the party.
The former Minister defected to the SDP after he fell out with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over his open support for the PDP governorship candidate and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.
Gbagi emerged as the SDP Governorship Candidate during the primary of the party held at the Ughelli Kingdom Hall in Ughelli, Delta State.
The Oginibo-born politician and industrialist was the sole governorship aspirant of the SDP.
He emerged through a voice motion moved by a delegate from Bomadi Ward 3, Mr Mike Ujobolo. The motion was supported by another delegate, Pastor Victor Agbula Igbule from Ward 6 in Udu Local Government Area.
Gbagi was subsequently declared winner and candidate of the party by SDP returning officer, Pastor Highness Akporode.
Gbagi, represented by his political adviser, Chief Austin Kpomah, commended the delegates for making him the governorship candidate of the party.
He stated that SDP will defeat the governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress, All Progressives Grands Alliance, APGAChief Sheriff Oborevwori, Chief Great Ogboru and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege in the 2023 general elections.
The former Minister promised to bring his wealth of experience as a businessman and industrialist to bear as governor of the state.
Gbagi called on Deltans to support him to rescue the state from the ruling PDP.
