By Daud Olatunji

ABEOKUTA—The Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Ogun State has said that it was untrue that the SDP was  sponsored by the Presidency to destablise the politics of the South West.

The party said the attempt to extend largesse to it by the Presidency ahead of the  election was rejected, describing its party as self-funding.

State chairman of the party, Chief Olu Agemo, while briefing newsmen in Abeokuta on the outcome of the election and activities of the party debunked the allegation and thanked the national leader of the party, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and his wife for their support during the campaign tours and the elections.

Agemo, who was flanked by the governorship candidate of the party, Senator Akin Odunsi, his running mate and deputy governor of the state, Prince Segun Adesegun, and state secretary of the party, Chief Abimbola Awofeso, said the party had toured not less than 300 campaign spots in towns and villages across the 236 wards in the state.

Osoba and Amosun

While clearing the air on the rumour that the leadership of   SDP in  the state had collected some money from the Presidency, Agemo said: “First, was the bombardment of the social media of their destructive   mission that we were   being sponsored by   the Presidency to destabilise the politics of South West.

“We say unequivocally that at no time did we have anything to do, materially or otherwise,  with the Presidency. Men of goodwill from the Presidency who made contact with us got it clear from us that we were not out for financial gains in our effort to ensure equity and fair play.

“Our struggle in Ogun State was not based on financial   gains. None of those delegations at the highest   level can say that any financial transaction transpired between us.

“We thank the powerful delegation from the Presidency for appreciating that our disagreement is within the progressive family.

“The SDP in Ogun state   was self-funding  throughout the campaigns and   elections. Even, when the national body of the SDP wanted to send us some funds,   we advised that  it should be sent to other SDP states which may be in financial trouble. As progressives,   we have resolved   to remain fully within the progressive family.

“We wish to thank our royal father,   the Alake of Egbaland,   HRM,   Oba  Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, CFR, and the Awujale of Ijebuland,   HRM, Dr. Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona,   CFR, who up to the last moments were still resolute in finding a solution to the disagreement,” he said.

Meanwhile, the party has said that its governorship candidate  in the April 11 election, Senator Akin Odunsi, has sent a congratulatory message to the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who emerged   winner in the election.

The party,  however, added that  it was  still studying the results of the governorship and state House of Assembly elections, saying, it   would come up with its decision   after the scrutiny.

The party Chairman also accused one of the opposition political parties in the state   of sending a sinister message   on the social media that Odunsi had withdrawn  from the race,   which he said contributed to the party’s  loss.

He said: “Our candidate has, after the announcement of the result, sent a congratulatory message to Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

“It was bad to the extent of  attempting to destroy our governorship candidate through SMS, WHATSAPP and Facebook on the day of election that he had withdrawn from the race. This had damaging effect on our members   and supporters right  at the polling centres.”