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Tag: SDP

  • EKITI 2018: SDP adopts Fayose’s former deputy as consensus candidate

    Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor,   Chief Adebisi Omoyeni, has been adopted as the consensus candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the July 14 governorship poll.

    Omoyeni, was the deputy governor to Governor Ayo Fayose in his first term, where he served only for three months before resigning to  assume the position of Group Managing Director of Wema Bank Plc.

    He was formerly in the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) before moving to SDP, with his supporters citing cases of alleged manipulation of delegates’ list in favour of Fayose’s deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

    Speaking on behalf of the party leaders in Ado Ekiti on Friday, the pioneer chairman of SDP in the state, Engr. Ayo Adekola, said they decided to pick him based on his antecedents and for the fact that he was from the south senatorial district.

    Adekola, who was the SDP governorship candidate in 2014, added that it had always been the wish of the founding fathers of the party in the state that the south produced the governor even before now.

    He said they decided to make Omoyeni the governorship candidate because he has the capacity to implement the policies and programmes of the party, adding that “this will also make the April 14 primary a rancour-free process”.

    He added: “In 2014, Dr Kola Adeyina from Ikere Ekiti, where Omoyeni  hails from was our candidate. But he fell sick and was taken overseas   and he used my name as a stop gap. Few days to election, he called me and said I should be made the candidate.”

  • Imbibe spirit of tolerance, sacrifice exhibited by Christ, say APC, SDP

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have asked Christians in the country to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and sacrifice as exhibited by Jesus Christ as a way of building a peaceful nation.

    In separate Easter messages to Christians, both parties said Nigerians should set aside religious affiliation and work towards building a peaceful and united nation in order to achieve the collective dream of the people.

    The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, asked Christians to use the period to pray for the safe return of the school children abducted by Boko Haram and who have remained in their custody.

    He said, “As we gather around family, friends and loved ones for the festivities, we also urge Nigerians to remember in our thoughts and prayers the abducted school children who remain in the captivity of terrorists. We assure of the federal government’s solid commitment to ensure their safe release and bring lasting peace to the country’s Northeast.”

    Also, the SDP said Nigerians should use the period to reflect more on the things that bind us together as brothers and sisters, not those that divide us.

    While wishing Christians joyful and rewarding season, National Secretary of the party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam congratulated Christians for completing the Lenten period that preceded the Easter festivity, and urged them to ruminate on the life and times of Jesus Christ.

  • SDP: Changing fortunes of a fringe party

    There is a realignment of forces as politicians prepare for next year’s general elections. Some aggrieved leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other groups have defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which is now being referred to as ‘the third force’. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the impact the defections may have on the fringe party during the elections.

    NIGERIANS are becoming increasingly despondent, ahead of next year’s general elections. They appear to be yearning for a third force that could wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Some proponents of this idea argue that the emergence of a third major political party is imperative to widen the scope of choices beyond the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In the last few weeks, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been embraced by some key leaders of the PDP and other groups. Its National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, confirmed that some former governors and serving senators of the PDP, as well as members of other parties have joining the SDP in recent times.

    They have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to dislodge the ruling party. Those who defected to the SDP include a former Information Minister, Professor Jerry Gana, ex-Education Minister Professor Tunde Adeniran, former Military Administrator Senator Joseph Akaagerger, former Chief of Staff to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan Mike Oghiadomhe, former Governor Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State and ex-Minister of Defence Dr Olu Agunloye. Other politicians that have aligned themselves with the SDP include former members of the House of Representatives, Dr Junaid Muhammed and Hon. Olamide Oni; Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw; a former Leader of the Alliance for Democracy in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dipo Olaitan; a former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola; Ambassador Yemi Farounbi; Mr John Dara; leaders of the Middle Belt Forum and the leaders of the National Intervention Forum led by Dr Tafawa Balewa; Ambassador Dare Bejide and Shehu Gabam. The SDP has not been able to win elections anywhere in the country, particularly in Ondo State, where Falae comes from. With the defeat of the PDP, the lifeline of the SDP had been blocked and there were no party activities.

    But, with its changing fortunes, can it compete against the APC and the PDP in 2019? Do the new members have electoral weight? Do they have enough time to nurture the party ahead next year general elections? A political scientist, Professor Ayo Olukotun, said in politics, no time is short to prepare for election; 24 hours is a long time; one year is sufficient to build a party for election.

    He said: “The party that won the presidential election in France was formed less than a year before election. Here in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was less than a year when it contested the 2015 general elections and dislodged the sitting president from power.” As far as Olukotun is concerned, it is too early to say whether the SDP can muster the strength for a good outing in the next year’s general elections or not. He believes the the two major parties for now still remain the APC and the PDP.

    “The other parties have to do a merger to be reckoned with,” he added. On the electoral value of the new SDP members, the university teacher said: “They are renowned in their career; they have served as ministers. But in terms of electoral weight, I don’t think they have much. Falae is a respected leader; he was once a presidential candidate and he is known all over the country. But how that would translate into political gains is difficult to say. “It is conjecture that determines an individual or party’s fortune. How far the SDP will go is a function of conjecture; that is, the possibilities that events can throw up.” A lawyer and civil rights activist, Mr Monday Ubani, agrees that time has little or nothing to do with the electoral success of a political party. He said the SDP could go places in 2019, if it can muster the resources and logistic now that Nigerians are yearning for a new platform. But, he ruled out the SDP as the new platform people are looking for.

    His words: “I don’t think this is a new platform Nigerians are yearning for. The new SDP is made up of aggrieved politicians from the PDP and the APC, looking for a new platform to actualise their ambition. For instance, Professor Tunde Adeniran left the PDP because he lost the party’s chairmanship election. Gana also dumped the party because his candidate (Adeniran) crashed out of the party’s election. Chief Falae has no electoral value even in his home state, Ondo. That explains why the party has failed to fly all these years. “I understand that the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and some senators are heading for the SDP. They are the same set of people; they can’t effect a change. It is a coup against the people. Only a mad man would do things the same way all the time and expect change. Unless those who love this country come together to rescue it, the status quo will remain.

    The trend in advanced democracy is change from the old order. In France, a young man with fresh ideas emerged as president. Nigeria should come together to look for a new leader with fresh ideas to move the country forward.” Civil rights activist, Comrade Mashood Erubami, was very categorical that the defection of Gana and other PDP top shots to the SDP will not bring any significance change in the polity. He said: “It is not new that they are moving from the PDP into the SDP. What is new is the personage of conservatism they are bringing into a party that came into being in a semblance of progressive. Their characters as members of the PDP, a party that ruled the country for 16 years without direction and emptying the treasury of the nation without finding any clue to the mirages of challenges that bedevilled the country ruled them out as new messiah.” Erubami said defecting into another party will not necessarily change their character and personality. He said they will not have bring any change unto the body polity, as they cannot give what they do not have.

    He emphasised that their defection was not determined by patriotic zeal to reform Nigeria and advance the right causes of Nigerians, but determined by a newly arranged strategies to come back into power to displace the current leadership. He said: “PDP members will remain what they were as leopard does not change its colour under any circumstance; hence nothing will change with their decampment to the SDP. The fact of the matter is that those who defected from the old PDP to the SDP in the past after contributing to the advancement of the party were forced to leave by forces that stalled their none achievement in the party; they defected back into the new PDP. But things have fallen apart and the centre can no longer hold.”

    However, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Malam Yusuf Ali, argued that the constitution guarantees freedom of association and that people have the right to move from one party to the other. He frowned at the proliferation of political parties in the country, adding that all of them lack political ideology. Ali lamented that all political parties are similar in conception without ideological stance. He said: “The politicians are all the same; they move from one party to another in search of platform to win elections in order to have access to public treasury. Many of them are in politics for personal aggrandisement, not because they want to serve humanity.”

    Can the SDP turn the table in 2019? A public affairs analyst, Dr Okey Nwakwo said much should not be expected from the party in next year general elections. He said it is already late for a fringe party like the SDP to expect to win elections across the country, because time is not on their side. Nwakwo said the involvement of Chief Falae in the $2.1 million meant from the procurement of arms and ammunition for the troops fighting Boko Haram is enough to discourage an average Nigerian, especially in the North, to want to queue behind such a leader. He said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission directed Falae to refund the N100 million traced to his bank account. It is a stigma that must be removed first. Again, the SDP is not popular in the Southwest where Falae hails from. “If we are to use the APC model that came into power within two years after its formation the circumstance was different from that of the SDP.

    Three political parties, apart from other political groups merged to form the APC. They started plotting to unseat former President Goodluck Jonathan right from 2011, even before the party was registered. A party cannot just wake up overnight and say it would wrestle power from the ruling party. The APC defeated the PDP in 2015, because of its geographical spread and strength. “The likes of Jerry Gana, Tunde Adeniran, Godsday Orubebe are not grass root politicians. Yes, they have held political offices, but they lack political followership. Many of them had not contested and won elections. Defection of big wigs into a party does not translate to more members for the party.”

    However, Falae promised that his party would provide a much better change positively for the nation if given a chance to lead. He said that the SDP embodied the social re-engineering and massive development agenda of its late presidential flag bearer, Chief Abiola who won the annulled 1993 presidential election. He promised that the party would pursue the ideals to the letter. He said: “SDP is a party with very long and sustained history of welfarism and respect for the rule of law. The party being an off-shoot of the political family of our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and one under which the late Mosshood Kashimawo Abiola contested and won the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, is no doubt the best alternative for good governance in the country.” Erubami ruled out the possibility of the SDP and its “new converts” as the messiah Nigerians require.

    He said: “Nigerians already know them by their spirit and can ever be deceived by any veiled programmes of under-development. Definitely, they cannot bring forth useful fruits anymore and can ever be a good alternative to the APC whatever the identified mistakes of the APC at the moment. The APC still have the chances of making good its promises to Nigerians”. The SDP was floated in 2013 by the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, the Afenifere, to whittle down the influence of the APC in the Southwest. It was created as a platform for aggrieved governorship aspirants of other political parties. The SDP was the platform on which the late Moshood Abiola, the assumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election contested.

    The party was proscribed by the Abacha military junta, but later resuscitated by the Afenifere, which felt that such a party would elicit nationwide acceptance, especially in the Southwest. Before now, the party was not able to make much impact, because of its romance with the PDP. The party’s leadership integrity suffered a setback over the alleged involvement of its chieftains in Dasukigate. The anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), discovered that Falae collected N100 million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) out of the $2.1 billion meant for the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram terrorists. Falae admitted collecting the money, but insisted that it was meant to facilitate the agreement the party had with the PDP, of delivering the Southwest for former President Goodluck Jonathan in the last presidential election.

  • 2019: Is SDP the third force?

    2019: Is SDP the third force?

    Following ongoing merger negotiations, continuous defection of top politicians to SDP in the last week and the party’s open claim of being the much-awaited Third Force, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu and Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan examine viability of the emerging political union and its prospects at the 2019 general elections

    THE National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja was evidently the busiest party office late last week and all through this week. Aside the various meetings held there, The Nation observed unusual stream of visitations both by top politicians from the various parts of the country and curious observers.

    Since former President Olusegun Obasanjo called for the emergence of a third force that would defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2019 General Elections, Nigerians have awaited its advent with a great sense of apprehension.

    Some of their concerns included the fear that none of the existing political parties could easily muster the capacity to dislodge the two big parties. They also argued that if the envisaged third force turns out to be a newly registered political party, it may be choked by time factor, inadequate funds; lack of influential politicians and absence of established nationwide structure?

    But following last week’s signing of a Memorandum of Association (MoA) at Ladi Kwali Hall in Sheraton Hotel, Abuja by Chief Olu Falae-led Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Professor Jerry Gana-led Movement for a New Political Order, some informed observers, who described the development as one of the most recent and significant political mergers ahead 2019 elections, have declared that SDP may have indeed emerged the much talked about third force.

    According to them, the country’s political theatre has been jolted since then, following reports of SDP merging with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Peoples Salvation Party (PSP) and Obasanjo’s Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), which was formally referred to as the “Third Force.”

    The implication of the emerging scenario, according to politicians who spoke to us this week is deep. This is because, besides the importance of the ongoing merger discussions of various political associations with SDP, observers who declared the party as the current third force also did so because of the caliber of political leaders that have so far defected from PDP and other parties to SDP since the signing of the Memorandum of Association.

    Leading the pack of top politicians that recently defected to the party are former ministers Professor Jerry Gana and Professor Tunde Adeniran. Elder Godsday Orubebe, who was named later denied leaving PDP.

    Also on Thursday this week, Second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed and the former National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, reportedly joined SDP. Their membership were confirmed when Gana, who was named the SDP National Steering Committee Chairman formally presented new members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

    According to the list, Chief Olu Falae remains the SDP National Chairman, while Dr. Abdul Ahmed Isiaq is the Deputy National Chairman.

    Other members of the NWC include Shehu Musa Gabam, National Secretary; Dr. Junaid Mohammed, National Vice Chairman, North-West; Sen. Ebezezer Ikeyina, National Vice Chairman, South-East; Barrister Supo Sonibare, National Vice Chairman, South-West; and Sen. E.B Henshaw, National Vice Chairman, South-South.

    Others are Joseph Abu, National Legal Adviser; Chief Nnamdi Clarkson, National Treasurer; Barrister Emeka Atuma, National Organising Secretary; Kehinde Ayoola, National Financial Secretary; Alhaji Alfa Muhammed, Deputy National Publicity Secretary; Lady Maryam Batubu, Women Leader, and Comrade Stanley Nwaka; Youth Leader.

    Gana also announced that Mr. Adakole Ijogi and Mr. Akinbode Oluyemi are to serve in Communication  Strategy  Committee.

    The SDP National Chairman, Chief Falae, in his remarks, said the party was “ready to fill the leadership vacuum and provide a serious government whose priority was the welfare of the people since Nigeria was in dire need of a political platform that would take her to the Promised Land.”

    Confirming the allegation that SDP is assuming the role of the envisaged third force, Falae said the party was negotiating with many movements, adding that SDP is ready to welcome everybody into its fold.

    “We are in dialogue with many of them and the dialogue is positive. You will hear more news. SDP is a very ambitious party. If all Nigerians decide to join SDP, I will welcome them all,” he said.

    While reacting to a question that sought to know the reason he left the PDP, Prof. Gana said, “When men and women of principles see good ideas, majority will flock into the movement. You can see with me Prof. Alkali, Prof. Tunde Adeniran. This will be an attraction. Many people are also contacting us.”

    Gana, who is the chairman of the SDP National Steering Committee, said at the press conference that the party was still in transition period between now and April when it would hold its convention.

    Apart from Gana himself and Prof. Adeniran, other personalities present included Dr. Olu Agunloye, the former Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) who was also a one-time Minister.

    Other big names that are now associated with SDP include former Military Administrator of Katsina State, Sen. Joseph Akaagerger; former Governor of Jigawa State, Saminu Turaki and former Chief of Staff to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Oghiadhome, among many others.

    Leaders of the Nigerian Intervention Movement (NIM), like Dr. Jhalil Tafawa Balewa and civil society organisations, like the Civil Liberties Organisations (CLO), have also been mentioned to be part of the ongoing political discussions and re-engineering.

    Some SDP sources even claimed, during the week, that the development has the “full support of socio-cultural organisations like the Middle Belt Forum, Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the South-South Assembly.”

    But Comrade Wilfred Frank Ogbotobo, the Coordinator of South-South Legacy Forum, told The Nation on Friday that the so-called Third Force and SDP’s new schemes is not what is needed today in Nigeria. As he puts it: “The SDP or any other ad hoc contraption being canvassed cannot be an immediate alternative to the two predominant political parties – the APC and the PDP. Can the key players in these ventures accept and offer Nigerians the unfolding convergence in the SDP as an attraction of ideological old flames or an amalgam of saints? I don’t think so. Talking about alternatives, and their prospects, I don’t see the possibility of any viable and patriotic alternative taking form at this critical point. Remember that the first attempt at merger between Tinubu and Buhari didn’t work in spite of the fact that each of them had an enviable, almost quasi-institutionalized political ideology and pedigree. Now, when you look at the unfolding drama, almost all the characters are the culprits. Is there any that has not participated or contributed his quota on one ignoble for or another to our present realities? The fact is we are faced with certain outcomes of years of recklessness, lawlessness, indiscipline and corruption. What is converging is not patriotism or a genuine desire to do anything different but a grand design to abort the anti-corruption war and PMB’s ultimate plan to finally effect a shift in Nigeria’s leadership.”

    Taking cognizance of the current political tempo and recent developments, not all Nigerians would dismiss the newly emerging force with a wave of the hand. The Nation investigation during the week confirms that the new ‘Third Force,’ has some things going for it though it also has some important challenges it must overcome in order to play the role effectively.

    A fresh option

    One of the things that may go for the new political force is the idea of it offering a fresh option to Nigerians. “For us in the SDP, we believe very strongly that ours is the fresh and new option Nigerians are yearning for. Here is a party without the numerous scandals, disappointments and failures for which both the APC and the PDP are well known for.

    “It is this newness we are banking on to attract Nigerians to our side. We have no blemish. We have no baggage and Nigerians can easily identify with us as a party of patriots who haven’t deceived the people in any way.

    “The same way Nigerians looked forward to and accepted APC when it came; we believe Nigerians will rally round the SDP ahead of the 2019 General Election. The difference is that we will not promise what we will not do.”

    The above were the words of Hon. Babatunde Enigbokun, a chieftain of the SDP in Lagos State, while describing the party as the much awaited ‘alternative’ for Nigeria, especially at the centre.

    Enigbokun, a former state official of the Action Alliance, revealed that one of the selling-point for the new mega party being spearheaded by the SDP is its newness. According to him, Nigerians are yearning for change.

    “And this time, they want real change. A total departure from all that represents the past and present is what Nigerians want as we speak. The APC and the PDP are Siamese twins of failure and disappointment. Nigerians are done with both,” he said.

    The Ikorodu-born politician is not the only person who sees SDP as a scandal-free vehicle aboard which Nigerians should ride to the next level. Even Professor Adeniran shares his view.

    The former minister, while justifying the new coalition, said it is very important for Nigerians who believe in real change anchored on sustainable democracy at all levels to come together and save the situation.

    Adeniran said ahead of the 2019 General Election, the SDP and other coalition partners will be urging sincere Nigerians to come and join hands with them to rid the country of leadership by parties that have no internal democracy at play.

    But antagonists of the SDP coalition disagree. And one of the usually cited reasons for disagreeing is alleged involvement of the party in the arms scandal. It would be recalled that the SDP allegedly received N100m from the then ruling PDP to work for the re-election of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “When they talk about being scandal free, I laugh. Is it not the same SDP currently struggling to explain its involvement in the arms fund scandal to Nigerians? Falae got N100m from Dasuki on behalf of the party.

    “So, what are they telling us? That Nigerians have short memories or that Falae and others are now born-again? They are starting with the wrong foot forward. They need to first explain how they got involved before asking for our support,” a chieftain of the APC said, adding that “SDP as we speak today, is gradually being peopled by chieftains formerly of either APC or SDP. Where is the newness they claim,” he asked?

    But Elder Bode Duyile, a SDP leader in Ondo state, says the N100m has nothing to do with the arms purchase fund. He said it is therefore not in any way a scandal that will prevent Nigerians from identifying with the coalition.

    “When people don’t really have anything concrete against you, they begin to come up with frivolous allegations. This is what I think we are seeing now. The N100m saga was resolved almost immediately.

    “Why are they raising it now? The release of the fund was the outcome of inter- party cooperation between PDP and SDP back then. And the proposal was thoroughly debated at the national executive meeting of the party before a decision was taken to work for the re-election of the former president,” he recalled.

    Structure

    Before its decision to open its door for other political parties, groups and individuals to join it in a coalition that is expected to berth a mega party ahead of the next general election, the SDP, according to political observers, could not boast of a political structure that can confront either the ruling APC or the opposition PDP.

    And as the party announced its readiness to step into the gap as the third force, pundits are skeptical of its chances, largely due to its not too impressive structure across the country.

    For Dele Kuti, Lagos State Director of Voters’ Right Agenda (VoRA), it is too early for SDP and its new partners to boast of dislodging the ruling party. Like many other people, the pro-democracy activist says he cannot see SDP’s structure anywhere in the country just yet.

    “The SDP is attractive in name. Now, with more known political personalities going its way, it is coming up as a political party. But that is not enough for it to declare itself as the third force. It lacks the structure needed to do that.

    “During the last general election, aside Oyo State, where Seyi Makinde’s political structure made the SDP a household name and Ogun State where former Governor Segun Osoba’s political family upped its game, the SDP was not strong anywhere.

    “Today, Makinde is back in the PDP with his people and structure. The Osoba group is also back in the APC. Even in Falae’s Ondo State, the SDP is not known. So, where is the structure they intend to use to actualise their presidential dream?”

    But like people determined to do the seemingly impossible against all odds, leaders of the SDP have been allaying fears raised about its political structure, saying with the ongoing coalition arrangement, the party will be the one to beat in the next general election.

    Speaking on the matter, Adeniran revealed that members of the Coalition for New Nigeria (CNM) will join the party, ahead of next year’s elections. He said the SDP will contest and win the presidential election because Nigerians will reject the PDP and the APC at the polls.

    Adeniran said with CNM members resolving to join the SDP, the platform has become the third force. The former minister said the SDP will satisfy the yearning of Nigerians in their clamour for change in 2019.  As he puts it: “We are contesting the presidential election and we are wining.”

    To further strengthen the party nationwide, the SDP this week announced a shake-up in its leadership to accommodate new partners expected to strengthen it with their structures in various states.

    Time factor

    Closely related to the challenge of structure is the time factor which the new coalition must contend with before the next general election coming up in less than 12 months. Commenting on the challenge, Dr. Ephraim Nwokoma, who said he was approached to mobilise for the new force in the South-East, admitted that time is an important factor in their mobilisation effort. “The coalition is bigger than the SDP we all knew before. It is a new political group that we must market and establish in all the parts of the country. Ordinarily, ten months is too small to be effectively established in all the parts of the country. But we are hopeful because we know that average Nigerians are not happy with both APC and PDP and are set to reject them at the polls. That is why we are certain to win the election in 2019. Besides the general rejection of the so-called big parties, you will be amazed at the massive mobilisation we are carrying out at the remote villages across the country.”

    Birds of different feathers

    Another concern so far expressed over the newly emerging political union ready to contest 2019 election on the platform of SDP is the fact that some of their influential members so far have been identified as birds of different feathers. It however remains to be seen how the members would put aside their differences in order to contest as a group.

    Finance

    Finance is another major factor that may affect SDP as it dreams of defeating the ruling APC and the PDP at the general elections in 2019. “Although SDP is busy splashing long list of alleged defectors, one is yet to be told how it plans to finance effective and massive mobilisation for grassroots establishment. If you go to most remote villages today and talk about the so-called third force, it will still sound like a folk tale and yet election is just months away. Election in Nigeria is not a joke. It costs money to campaign and so any political party that is serious to contend with the ruling party and an opposition party like the PDP, must at least be able to finance basic campaigns. I still can’t see SDP mustering such capacity,” Chief Geoffrey Udom said.

    But Comrade Patrick Desmond, who identified himself as a supporter of the new political movement, countered that politics of money must be frowned at if Nigeria wants to move forward. “What is happening in our political theatre is the way forward. The group may not have stolen billions to sink into elections but we, the electorates are behind them because we are tired of stolen mandate. If the big parties are planning to buy votes in 2019, I can assure them that they will be disappointed. Nigerians are wiser today.”

    So how far can SDP go?

    Notwithstanding the progress it made in the last two weeks in its drive for credible and influential members, some observers still dismiss SDP as a lightweight in 2019 General Elections.

    For example, Wilfred Ogbotobo, the Coordinator of South-South Legacy Forum, dismissed the top politicians so far associated with the group as “mere turncoats,” who he said have nothing new to offer. “In our present condition, any war against corruption is about challenging the very foundation of our corporate existence. Every weakness and fault will be animated for exploitation. That’s how fantastically deep the tentacles of corruption have embedded in the system. Where are these holier than thou in 2003, 2007 and 2011 when slide began? This is not the time for turncoats or latter day saints. We must join the genuine work to rebuild Nigeria, which I believe PMB is fully committed to,” he said.

    Former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Junaid Mohammed has a different view. Commenting on why he joined the group, he said: “I am an optimist. I believe SDP will make a great impact. The main reason I want to be associated with it is because it is ideologically driven. Even if it was not ideologically driven before, it has to be ideologically driven.”

    As the events unfold and some analysts hint on possible emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate, though he is yet to admit it, informed observers said so much will depend on who will finally fly the party’s presidential ticket. “If a credible candidate flies our flag, all these issues you highlighted as challenges will fade out. Nigerians want real change and that is what SDP is offering,” Desmond said.

  • CNM members will join SDP, says Adeniran

    CNM members will join SDP, says Adeniran

    Former Minister of Education and Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftain Prof. Tunde Adeniran has said that members of the Coalition for New Nigeria (CNM) will join the party, ahead of next year’s elections.

    He said the SDP will contest and win the presidential election because Nigerians will reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the poll.

    Adeniran, who defected from the PDP last week, spoke on his defection and the chances of his new platform at the polls. The Ekiti State-born politician spoke on the live Channels Television Programme, Sunrise.

    The former minister’s remarks on the resolve of some CNM members to team up with the SDP has put an end to the speculation that they were in discussion with the Labour Party (LP) on the possibility of taking refuge in the opposition party.

    A source said having decided to join the SDP, members of the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo-inspired movement may have considered the hurdles on the way, if they apply to the electoral commission for registration as political party.

    The former Ambassador to Germany contested for the chairman during the controversial national convention of the PDP at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Prominent chieftains walked out of the venue in protest against alleged manipulation of the exercise.

    Adeniran, who did not speak on the prospects of the CNM’s transformation into a party, said CNM members have resolved to join the SDP, adding that the platform has become the third force.

    He lamented that the PDP, of which he is a founding father, has derailed from the vision of those who formed the party.

    He recalled that the party was bastardised by its latter-day leaders, who have established themselves in the culture of impunity.

    Adeniran said the behaviour of the party handlers became unbearable during its last national convention when  new leaders were imposed on the members.

    He said despite the assurance by the convention planning committee about a free and fair intra-party election, they later owned up that the situation was beyond their control.

    Adeniran recalled that as one of the founding fathers, he hosted the first important meeting of the party in the Southwest, adding that the PDP of today does not mirror the original vision of the founders.

    He denied that he had become a spoiler, following his defection, stressing that there were compelling reasons for him and other defectors to leave the party.

    The former minister said despite his vicissitudes as a party chieftain in the past, he kept faith with the platform.

    The former minister said the SDP will satisfy the yearning of Nigerians in their clamour for change in 2019.  He said: “We are contesting the presidential election and we are wining.”

     

  • Falae: SDP can give Nigeria better change

    Falae: SDP can give Nigeria better change

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, has urged Nigerians to give the Social Democratic Party (SDP) a chance to lead the country to enable it offer “a better change”.

    Falae also urged Ekiti State residents to vote for the party in the July 14 governorship election to get quality leadership and have a better standard of living.

    The SDP National Leader spoke at the weekend in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, when a chieftain of the party, Dr. Gbenga Ayenimo, declared his intent to contest for the governorship seat.

    Falae, who spoke through the SDP Chairman in Ekiti State, Mr. Dele Ekunola, described the party as a better alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said the party embodies the social re-engineering and massive development agenda of its late presidential flag bearer, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

    Ayenimo said the 2018 governorship poll offers a good opportunity to liberate Ekiti people from bad governance, hunger, poverty, unemployment and hardship.

  • LP, SDP members defect to APC

    LP, SDP members defect to APC

    No fewer than 3,000 members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party (AP), Labour  Party (LP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) have defected to the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) in Olorunsogo Local Government Area of Oyo State.

    Leading the defectors, a Medical Practitioner and PDP chieftain, Dr. Usman Bolaji Abdulfatai, said that they resolved to leave their respective parties to join the ruling APC, as a result of good works of President Muhammadu Buhari in governing  the country and as well as Senator Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo state.

    Other leaders of defectors were; a retired military officer, Sunday Alabi(old soldier), former secretary to the Local Government, Alhaji Jimoh Olajide (Oroo) and Hon. Seyi Bamikunle.

    The defectors were from all the ten (10) wards in the local government area of the State.

    The defectors who moved in thousands along the major roads, including; L.A. Primary school road, Idigba, Ibukun Olu area and Kishi –Ilorin road in the headquarters of the Local government with victory songs, before later assembled at NUD Primary School, Igbeti for their integration into the ruling party.

    President Buhari had declared that millions of Nigerian would soon join the ruling APC in order to record success for the party in the forthcoming general elections in the country.

    But, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had berated the President Buhari over the statement, saying that the ruling party would soon be empty, adding that those relied upon by the President would soon leave the APC to join the PDP in a bid to wrest power from unperforming administration of Buhari.

    Abdulfatai said the defectors have moved out of the bondage of four political parties, describing the parties as moribund. He noted that the achievements of APC in government of Oyo State nay Nigeria have silent their former parties’ leader.He therefore urged other politicians that remained in the listed parties to park their things and join the progressive ruling party for the betterment of the country and her citizens.

    Also speaking, Seyi Bamikunle and Sunday Alabi, disclosed that the need to leave their various parties necessitated by the lack of focus, vision and internal democracy within their respective parties.

  • ‘Why we dumped SDP for APC in Ondo’

    Scores of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) supporters who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday hinged their action on the enviable record of achievements of the APC’s administration led by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The defectors spoke through their leader, Bosun Ogunleye, at the APC secretariat, Akure, the state capital.

    The former SDP members particularly lauded the prompt payment of workers’ salaries and various laudable projects mapped out for execution by the APC administration. Ogunleye noted that APC is a party that would remain relevant in the country’s political firmament because of its ideology. He stressed that they would assiduously work for the success of the ruling party in its future elections,and abide by the rules and regulations guiding it.

    The APC state chairman, Ade Adetimehin while receiving the new party members, described the present  Akeredolu’s administration as God-sent. According to him,the achievements of the present administration are visible and commendable, saying since its inception on February 24, 2016, no civil servant in the state is owed any salary.

    He said “the public servants no longer fear ‘no salary’ syndrome at the end of the month. This was made possible through the efforts of Akeredolu and his executives. Adetimehin also hailed various ongoing road construction projects in various parts of the state in spite of the meagre resources available after payment of salaries and other government runnings.

  • PDP NEC considers report of alleged violations by Fayose

    PDP NEC considers report of alleged violations by Fayose

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday received reports detailing alleged violations and acts of impunity by the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose.
    The senator representing Ekiti South senatorial district, Senator Biodun Olujimi, was said to have tabled the report at the NEC meeting, which also had Fayose in attendance.
    Fayose has been at daggers drawn with a number of party stakeholders in Ekiti, including federal lawmakers, state assembly members and party officials at the national level.
    The disagreement got to a peak when the governor nominated his deputy, Prof Olusola Eleka as his successor in the governorship election coming up in 2018.
    Other intending aspirants, including Olujimi, had protested the governor’s action, describing it as an act of impunity and total disregard for the party’s constitution.
    Briefing journalists shortly after the NEC meeting that lasted till 8pm, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the meeting took note of the complaints against the governor and the matter was being looked into.
    According to him, the party leadership would take appropriate actions against the governor to avoid what he described as “catastrophic consequences” in the governorship election.
    Adeyeye also said that a former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja who recently defected to the PDP from the Accord Party had been granted a waiver.
    Also granted waivers was Mr. Seyi Makinde who defected to the PDP from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and several others that joined the party about the same time.
    Waivers were also extended to others who recently joined the PDP in Anambra State. All the beneficiaries of the waiver have been accorded the same rights and privileges enjoyed by existing party members.
    The party spokesman further stated that the NEC approved the December 9 date for the convention and also approved guidelines for state congresses and the convention as well.
    The NEC also approved certain amendments to the party’s constitution that would be ratified at the convention.
  • PDP, SDP, AD members join APC in Ondo

    PDP, SDP, AD members join APC in Ondo

    Several members of the opposition in Ikare-Akoko community of Ondo State at the weekend defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The defectors were from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    The State APC Chairman Ade Adetimehin expressed delight at the massive turnout of defectors, led by a PDP chieftain, Olanrewaju Kazeem.

    The chairman noted that with the high profile political figures from the three major opposition political parties into the APC, the political firmament in Akoko Northwest had collapsed into the party.

    He said Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu could not attend the ceremony due to his engagement in Abuja.

    Adetimehin advised the defectors to work for the party’s growth y, adding that they should not see themselves as joiners but as bona fide members of the party with equal rights.