The crises that led to the emergence of two presidential candidates in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ended yesterday at a reconciliation meeting in Lagos.

The factional presidential candidate, Senator Ebenezer Ikeyina, stepped down for Adewole Adebayo, who was adopted by the two factions as presidential standard bearer.

Exuding happiness, Adebayo said: “There is now a zero faction in the SDP,” urging members to brace up for the 2023 challenge.

He said within two years in power, an SDP administration at the entre will banish poverty from the country.

Adebayo thanked Chief Supo Sonibare for his contributions to the peace process.

He said if SDP is to be the alternative vehicle for Nigerians, it should be seen to be stable.

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The candidate added:”Our campaign programme is still ‘Farewell to poverty.’ The grandson of poverty is insecurity. Poverty has great grandchildren in Nigeria. Ours will be a campaign of ideas, programmes and issues.

“In two years, we will banish poverty from Nigeria. We have programmes covering housing and food security.”

Also hailing the peace moves, prominent party leaders, including National Secretary Dr. Olu Agunloye, former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, Senator Ogochukwu Uba and Kunle Othman, Lagos State governorship candidate, said the protracted crisis was over.

They described the crisis resolution as an important event that had overtaken the court cases triggered by the intra-party quarrel.

Party chieftains from the six geo-political zones attended the reconciliation meeting, which Ikeyina described as a divine moment and beginning of progress for the country.

Agunloye and Adewole said yesterday’s reconciliation also marked the beginning of the party’s campaign for next year’s polls.

Ikeyina said: “What is happening today in SDP is divine. It is the beginning of progress. There will be improvement in the lives of men and women in the country when we take over power. ”

Agunloye said:”I am happy about this reconciliation. This is the commencement of the presidential campaign. There are cases in court. These events have overtaken the cases in court.”