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Tag: SDP

  • ‘Nobody can underrate SDP in Ondo’

    ‘Nobody can underrate SDP in Ondo’

    Bamidele Oludare, a medical doctor, is the  Social Democratic Party(SDP) House of Representatives candidate in the Akoko Southeast/Southwest Constituency, Ondo State. He spoke with DAMISI OJO on his plans the constituency. 

    As a successful medical doctor of over three decades,what prompted you into politics?

    Politics is mainly about governance. At present, I am not satisfied with the maladministration in all the three tiers of government and all sectors.I want to try how my contributions can change the status quo.’Siddon look” will not help me,it will put one into the murky water of politics without an opportunity to partake and be part of governance.

    Nigeria’s political system gives adequate recognition to any individual who can seek for votes and offer appropriate service to the people if eventually such persons get there,but unfortunately,today our political office seekers believed in “Winner take all”syndrome.it is glaringly a bad practice where you abandon your supporters who offered you their votes to secure that position, but at the end of the day,you share the national ckes with members your family.That condemnable act is what want to correct if by God’s grace,get into office.

    Why did you dump the Labour Party (LP) for for the Social Democratic Party (SDP)?

    it is true I am a card carrying member of the LP. But suddenly,we witnessed the secret fraternity of the leadership of the party under the conrtrol of Governor Olusegun Mimiko with the PDP.Most of us who are so committed to the party were not informed of the pact.As a medical practitioner of about 34 years,I thought I should be an asset to any political party I belong,but because I have not been causing disquiet within the party,that was why party stalwarts like us were treated with disdain in the LP.The forceful merger of LP with PDP in Ondo State is an unholy marriage,and I think everybody is keeping abreast with the present political development in the state now with the forceful pact between the two parties as engineered by Dr Mimiko.So,I decided to pitch my tent with the SDP,the party under which Nigerians had the most free and fair election in 1993 won by late MKO Abiola but deprived the opportunity to rule by the military junta.We in the SDP are interested in expanding the frontier of the party and very soon,we are going to produce a presidential candidate that Nigeria deserves.

    What will you differently from what the legislator from the constituency is doing, if you are elected?

    By my own assessment and that of others,the incumbent representative,Hon Debo Ologunagba, has performed below average. Since his assumption of office,there has been nothing to show as his achievements in the two local government areas of the constituency except solar powered electricity.The lawmaker has never organised any consultation with the electorate in the constituents.If I get into office,there will be a clear departure from this,I will touch the towns and villages in the federal constituency and impacted on the lives of its citizenry.

    Why are you leaving your lucrative profession for politics?

    No clash of interest at all.Already I have completely relocated to my constituency in Akoko land.My campaigns are focused on the opinion leaders,market women,youths and go from house-to-house.Now that time is no more on our side,we have been campaigning on the pedigree and track records of the candidates as against political parties.We want the next Assembly to be polarised so as to bring thew usual domineering factor to the barest minimum.INEC as the electoral umpire should do the needful by allowing level-play ground as people have the free choice to cast their votes to the preferred candidates.

  • SDP begins campaigns in Edo

    SDP begins campaigns in Edo

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) yesterday began its campaigns in Edo State ahead of next month’s general elections.

    It promised to preach peace instead of engaging in violence and throwing bombs.

    SDP National Chairman Olu Falae, who performed the ceremony in Auchi, headquarters of Estako West Local Government Area, also received defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Falae said the SDP was revived, following absence of democratic ideals in the two major political parties in the country.

  • Royal aide urges politicians to eschew violence

    Royal aide urges politicians to eschew violence

    A member of the Olubadan-In-Council, High Chief Theophilous Akinyele, has urged politicians in Oyo State to be politically matured and ensure acceptable and violence-free elections.

    He warned that the state could not afford to witness any violence during and after the elections and enjoined all players to play the game by the rules.

    Akinyele , a  former Head of Service, gave the advice yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, at the launch of a book titled: “Election Law Practice in Nigeria” in honour of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Oluwaseyi Makinde.

    The former HoS said he is looking forward to a situation where father, sons and siblings of different political ideologies and parties would live together without crisis.

    The Bobajiroro of Ibadanland, who chaired the occasion, urged stakeholders and political actors across the country to always play the game by the rules in order to have free, fair and acceptable elections next February.

    He said contrary to some opinion moulders, Africa needs strong institutions and not strong men to move the continent forward.

    The book reviewer, Dr Abba Kolo from the University of Dundee, Scotland, said the book would be helpful in the academic and the political system.

    Kolo, who was represented by Solomon Okedara, said all hands must be on deck to curb irregularities in the voter registration processes.

    Makinde, who described internal democracy as the focal point of all democratic processes, attributed poverty as the major problem confronting the state.

    He said if given the mandate to lead the state, he would implement projects to banish poverty.

    At the event were the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, who was represented by High Chief Tajudeen Abimbola, the President, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adebayo Oyero, Are Alasaa of Ibadanland, Chief Lekan Alabi, and Chief Abdulatif Oyelade, SDP state Chairman Chief Michael Adegbite and Chief Lateef Oyelade, among others.

  • Bankole has no electoral value, says Ogun PDP

    Bankole has no electoral value, says Ogun PDP

    •Party: we are not bothered by his defection

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has said it is not bothered by the defection of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    It said the decision posed no threat to its electoral fortunes in next month’s general elections.

    The party added that Bankole no longer commands electoral values that could ensure victory for anybody or party at the polls.

    The state Chairman, Bayo Dayo, who said this in Abeokuta at the inauguration of the state’s 35-man governorship campaign committee, dismissed the former Speaker as a paper weight politician.

    Dayo said the ex-Speaker was not useful to himself electorally in his re-election bid into the House of Representatives in 2011 and could not win his constituency.

    He wondered how Bankole could have added any advantage to the PDP’s electoral fortunes, if he had been picked as its flag-bearer.

    His words: “I always say the truth. I heard it (Bankole’s defection) last night and I can tell you as I have said earlier, it’s a free world; everybody has the right to be associated with any group that he wishes.

    “But if that is done, you will then know and the people in Abuja will know who is on ground. Somebody who contested when he was Speaker and lost. Let him now contest in 20 local governments and let us see the outcome.

    “I challenge them to the fact that come February 14, you will all see the results of whatever arrangement that is going on.

    “Some people live in glass houses and they will not know that there are other people looking at them.

    “Let him contest under any platform and people in Abuja will know if he is on ground or not. That is all I have to say. We cannot force everybody to stay in PDP.

    “Our prayer is that the more people are going out, more people are coming to the party. And with that, we are going to win the election come February 14 by the grace of God.”

    The state chairman, however, assured that former Governor Gbenga Daniel still remains a PDP member and has continued to show his commitment to the victory of the party.

    Dayo appealed to all aggrieved aspirants to put their loss at the primaries behind them and work for the party’s success.

    He said: “I will only use this media to appeal to our aggrieved aspirants that they should allow us to work together and win the election that can make them relevant.

    “So, first things first; we must work together and win the election. And when that is done, everybody that you are seeing here you will be filling forms to go and see them in their offices.”

    Also, the Director-General of the Ogun PDP Governorship Campaign Organisation, Yomi Majekodunmi, said the state deserved better.

    Majekodunmi assured that the PDP would carry out a “real rescue” of the state.

  • PDP: We are unmoved by Bankole’s defection to SDP

    PDP: We are unmoved by Bankole’s defection to SDP

    The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday said it is not bothered by the defection of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), saying the defection poses no threat to the electoral fortune of the party in the forthcoming elections.

    PDP added that Bankole who boycotted the governorship primaries conducted by the party in the state no longer commands electoral values that could ensure victory for anybody or political party at the poll.

    The state Chairman of the PDP, Bayo Dayo, who made this known in Abeokuta, the state capital, while fielding questions from reporters during the inauguration of the state’s 35-man Governorship Campaign Committee at the party secretariat, dismissed Bankole as a paper weight politician.

    He said: “I always say the truth. I heard it (Bankole’s defection) last night and I can tell you as I have said earlier, it’s a free world, everybody has the right to be associated with any group that he wishes. But if that is done, you will then know and the people in Abuja will know who is on the ground.

    “Bankole contested the position of House of Representatives in one local government when he was in office as the Speaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and lost.

    “Let him now contest in 20 local government areas and let us see the outcome. I challenge them to the fact that come February 14, you will all see the result of whatever arrangement that is going on.
    ”

    “Some people, when they live in glass houses, they will not know that there are other people looking at them.

    “Let him contest under any platform and people in Abuja will know whether he is actually on ground or not. That is all I have to say. We cannot force everybody to stay in PDP. Our prayer is that the more people that are going out, more people that are more than them should be coming to the party. And with that, we are going to win the election come February 14 by the grace of God.”

  • ‘PDP, SDP have no place in Ogun’

    ‘PDP, SDP have no place in Ogun’

    Olusola Balogun, Special Assistant (Print Media) to Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, was a House of Assembly aspirant in Yewa South Constituency. He spoke with reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on the Amosun Administration and why the governor will get a second term.

    You aspired to be a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly on the platform of the APC? How was the contest?

    It is really an enriching experience. I saw first hand what politics is and how it is played.  I now understand what moulds the thinkng of an average politician. Its a new experience different from the world of journalism i am used to.

    How is the ambition now?

    Its over at least for this next legislative assembly.

    Why is that so?

    I withdrew in deference to the wish of my governor and my party.

    Can you please explain that?

    There is nothing to explain.It is a dead issue, so let’s not reopen it. I am focusing on how to assist all the APC candidiates win their various elections for my party .

    Why did you withdraw from the race?

    I withdrew in deference to the desire of the governor, who is the leader of my party and my own personal hero and political mentor. He wants the incumbent office-holder to continue on the seat, so i complied.I agree completely with him and I am 110 per cent behind him in his quest to rebuild our state. He is doing a swell job of it and i am ready to hand him all the support he needs to reposition of our state.

    But, some people alleged that the APC in the state imposed the candidates?

    That is not true. It is far from what happened. I am in the thick of it, so, I can talk authoritatively on it. That allegation is a lie from the pit of hell. I am sure it is the type of discussion our detractors peddle around. Our detractors believes and expects  the Ogun APC to be engulfed in crises after the primaries; but they were disappointed. God gave Senator Ibikunle Amosun the wisdom of Solomon to tackle the notty aspects of it.

    There is no truth whatsoever in that. All our candidates emerged through transparent process which explained why the appeal panel sent from Abuja to look into complain was largely idle in ogun state. Nobody complained. The opposition believes the exercise would explode in violence, but that didnt happen.

    Despite the departure of Osoba and his followers, will you say  Ogun APC is in a good position ahead of the polls?

    The APC in Ogun State is in great and united shape. It is unfortunate that they went to the SDP, but I can assure you it won’t affect the fortunes of the party. We will also win the elections.

    Are you sure of that?

    I am very positive.

    But, it is believed those that left are core politicians…

    That is not true. We will soon see who are the real politicians connected with the voters. February is around the corner.

    But, one of the allegations is that the governor runs a one-man show in Ogun….

    Thats another tissue of lies. Senator Amosun runs an all-inclusive government. He brought all Ogun indigenes he feels are needed to assist in rebuildng the state on board. It might also interest you to know that a whooping  72 per  cent of this present state executive of the APC are from the AD and the AC. Two of the three senatorial chairmen of the AC are serving commissioners. So, where is the basis for the allegation?

    But, most of those in the SDP are National Assembly members. Don’t you think it looks somehow that all of them are opposing the governor?

    Not all are against the governor. Some are with him. However, there is no big deal in that. There is freedom of association in our constitution.They were elected to make laws in Abuja, while the governor was elected by all the people of Ogun State to steer the ship of the state away from its ruinous past.

    Does it speak well of the governor that he is not able to manage his National Assembly members?

    I won’t want to go into the details of what caused the crisis, but suffice to say that no one can clap with one hand. It is not possible. It needs two people to make peace and two people to fight. If the truth must be told, Governor Amosun made all efforts to ensure a united and cohesive Ogun APC.

    But allegation is that the problem arose because he took over the party from the original owners…

    Original owners? The APC, if you remember, is an amalgam of the ACN, the CPC, the ANPP, a fraction of the PDP and a section of the APGA. The ACN, the ANPP and the CPC all returned their membership registration to the INEC, so in the APC, there is no original owner. We all joined the APC afresh. No old member or landlord.We are all co-founders. Those who are saying that will want to forget that because they are out to promote their mischievous plans.

    By the way, it 72 per cent of those from AD and AC are in the state executive, where is the basis for this charge of taking over the party?

    They also allege that the governor runs a government of family and friends. How will you react to that?

    As I said ealier, I don’t want to comment on the nitty-gritty of the crises, but it will be irresponsible of me not to correct that erroneous impression. It is a lie.

  • APC, PDP, SDP, Accord in war of words over Oyo

    APC, PDP, SDP, Accord in war of words over Oyo

    Major political parties in Oyo State have started a “war of words” over who wins the governorship election next year.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord and Social Democratic Party (SDP) yesterday explained reasons  their confidence of routing others in the February election.

    APC Chairman Akin Oke said the coast was clear for the “so-called jinx to be broken” (referring to inability of previous governors to win a second term).

    Oke hailed the emergence of four other candidates – Rashidi Ladoja (Accord), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Labour), Teslim Folarin (PDP) and Seyi Makinde (SDP).

    He described it as good for Oyo State and part of the beauty of democracy.

    Oke expressed confidence that the people would vote for continuity of the good works being done by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    He said other candidates are from the PDP, stressing that voters know their pedigree and cannot be deceived.

    The APC chairman said within the three and a half years that Oyo people have tasted the APC, they would not go back to the dark days again.

    Folarin’s spokesman Victor Oluwadamilare said the people desire a generational change of leaders into which Folarin fits.

    According to him, Ajimobi has tried his best, but his best is not good enough for the state. He said Ladoja, who he described as a fantastic man, is too old for the dynamics of governance and that Alao-Akala has offered his best, which was inadequate.

    Ladoja sees no candidate who can beat him in the election, based on his popularity and swollen number of Accord supporters.

    Accord’s spokesman Nureni Adeniran said: “The bulk of Ibadan votes will go to Ladoja. Ajimobi is the only strong contender in Ibadan but people are tired of him. Once Ajimobi is out, Ladoja is coming in. He clearly ranks number one. We are optimistic that Ladoja will coast to victory.”

    Makinde said he is the fresh blood which the people want, stressing that all other candidates have  shown what they can do, which has not improved the lot of the state.

  • ‘There’s need for generational shift in Oyo’

    ‘There’s need for generational shift in Oyo’

    Oluseyi Makinde, an engineer, is the Oyo State Social Democratic Party (SDP)governorship. The 47 years old politician shed light on why he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his preparations for next year’s election. EMMANUEL OLADESU met him.

    Why did you defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP)?

    It is an open secret how the primaries in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), went. The party would not obey its own guideline and it wouldn’t also a court order regarding the delegates to elect the party’s flagbearer. So, when they wouldn’t do that and our people insisted that they were waiting for us. they want us to have a platform for them where the hope of the generality of the people of Oyo would be realized. We then decided to move down to the SDP to give that hope to our people.

    What is fascinating about the SDP?

    There is the concept of Omoluabi in Yorubaland. And that is who we are and that is how we were brought up. We look at the parties and all the available platforms and coming from this part of the country, and being Omoluabi ourselves, we looked at the promoters of the SDP in persons of Chief Olu Falae and Chief Segun Osoba. These are the men that have contributed immensely to the progress of Yoruba race. And they are Omoluabi personified. And we discussed with them. They have vision for Yoruba. We just kind of share the vision.

    What impact can your party make on voters, six weeks to elections?

    Well, democracy is not about the positions you have occupied in the past. It is about the people. It is about the majority of the people and that is where we are going. We have listened to our people. We have heard them. We have given to them, our programs, our manifestos, and there is an alignment that, give us a new platform and we will vote for you. Really, politics is all about people. If the majority of the people say this is where we are going, then that is it and that is democracy. So, I believe that politics of Oyo State is just to be turned around. And all these so called heavyweights, I think they are going to be shocked at the end of the day. This is because the decision of the people is going to be final. Actually the vote is going to count.

    How would you popularise the relatively unknown SDP?

    It is not all that easy. It is about educating our people. They know already what we stood for. I am not just coming into the political arena. I have contested in the past and we have been engaged with our people all these years. We are doing a lot to introduce the party. And of course the SDP was used as a political party in 1993. So, it is not something totally new. And people also recognize the fact that freest and fairest election ever conducted in this country was won by the SDP. I will probably say, we have turned a full circle. But Oyo being a Pace Setter State, I will not be surprised that we are the one projecting this. Watc it, this what is going to catch on the entire country.

    The reality is that the youth at these days are not realy concerned about the party but about the candidate. So, once we have a large following from Omititun as a structure and they follow Seyi Makinde as a person, then all is well. That is what they care. And remember most of our youth are not illiterate. They are even better at identifying symbols. I thought where we need to do a lot of work is actually with the elderly people.

    Is SDP also fielding candidates for parliamentary elections?

    We had hectic time sieving candidates. There is no constituency where SDP is not fielding candidate in the state for the election.

    What are your chances of winning?

    That is actually our strength because the people that have done it before, people have seen their limitation. And for us, we haven’t done it before, but we have done a certain things that people have been able to see. And you can fool our people some of the time, you cannot fool them all the time. They are convinced where we are coming from. They know what we have done privately. They know precisely our engagement with them. They know precisely that over the years, we listened to some of the issues within our communities. So, our is that we have been able to do some things privately and they know if we have the resources of government, we would even do a lot better.

    Could you shed light on your manifestoes?

    Well, we have our manifesto and our campaign theme which we term ‘Operation HEAP. We are talking about Health care delivery. We are talking of making agriculture positive business in Oyo State and also weaning the state from over dependent on oil by projecting agriculture. We have education. We all see the level of decay the infrastructure in Oyo State. We see students and pupils learning under a very difficult and unsafe condition. Dilapidated buildings here and there. non provision of material for the teachers.

    And, if you look at the WAEC result, Oyo State came last behind all the states in the south-west. We have a good shot at physical infrastructure. I am an engineer by training, and if I look at the current government, you will sympathize with us. If you go to Total Garden they made a fountain there which never works. So, to me, that is halfhearted way of doing things. We will get all we have into doing all those things. We have security in our manifesto. We intend to deepen the current security situation in our state and make it better and more responsive.

    What are the factors that will shape the general elections in Oyo State?

    I think the major factor is the personalities that are involved. I can characterize it for you. You have three of the candidates who are over 65 years old. You have two who are around 50 years old. I am 47 years old. And one of those two has been tested as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And people have seen what he has done and what he didn’t do. And you have a personality that kind of stood out. I believe people would gravitate towards me.

     What is your view on generational shift?

    That is what happens now all over the world. If Oyo State, being a Pace Setter State, decides to actually go for generational shift, not just for the sake of it, but going to somebody with substance, and going there with a marking script. We will give to them what we intend them to do and the time frame within what to do them. Within those time frames, if we are not achieving and hitting our targets, then, people are going to know and hold us responsible for things we said we would be able to do.

    What is your advice to the people of Oyo State?

    My advice to the people of Oyo State is, don’t be deceived by people saying, oh, this is a new party. And on how are we going to comb all the nook and cranny of the state, over the next six weeks, I intend to cover almost everywhere within the state taking our messages to the homes of our people. They should listen to and listen to them as well and ask them questions on those promises made to them four years ago and even indeed they have not satisfied the yearning of our people, then they should cast their votes for me, their son and humble servant-Seyi Makinde.

  • Three for governor in Ogun SDP

    Three for governor in Ogun SDP

    Ogun State Deputy Governor  Segun Adesegun, Mr. Fola Adeola and Comrade Wale Okunniyi, are vying for the governorship ticket of the Social Democratic Party(SDP) at the primaries. The date for the primaries is yet to be announced by the party leadership.

    Adesegun. who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress(APC) to the SDP, has said that he would contest against his boss, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, if given the ticket.

    The deputy governor said the time is ripe for him to take a decision on how to “lead his followers to the promised land and move Ogun State forward.”

    He said his decision is driven by the desire  to protect his followers from “rotting and wasting away” politically.

    But, Adesgun’s rival, Okunniyi, who was the governorship candidate of the defunct  Congress for Progressive Change(CPC) in 2011, said that he is more qualified and deserving of the SDP’s ticket than the deputy governor.

    Okunniyi, who rode into the home of former Governor Olusegun Osoba on horseback last week  amid cheers by supporters, to announce his interest in the  race, promised to govern well, if given the ticket.

    Another politician believed to be also vying the ticket is the running mate to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu during the 2011 presidential election on the ticket of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr Fola Adeola, whose posters adorn strategic locations in Abeokuta.

    It is not yet clear, if the reticent banker is keenly interested in the ticket, although his name has continued to feature as an interested party in the last eight months.

  • Makinde gets Oyo SDP ticket

    Makinde gets Oyo SDP ticket

    The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State has taken a new shape, with one of its leading governorship aspirants, Seyi Makinde, dumping the party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    Makinde, addressing reporters yesterday in Ibadan, said he would contest the governorship election on the platform of the SDP.

    He said after consultations with members, supporters and leaders, it was decided that the Omi Titun structure should move to the SDP in order to usher the state into a new era come.

    “The PDP subverted the court by conducting an election with about 10 per cent of those who were eligible to participate. All entreaties made to the PDP leadership headquarters were rebuffed.

    “I joined the PDP thinking that it believed in democratic tenets, rule of law, fairness and justice to all. The PDP candidate claimed to have been elected with 167 votes after the majority of 1,053 delegates were disenfranchised.”

    He reiterated that the decision to join the governorship race was to improve the people’s standard of living through responsive and responsible leadership.