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Tag: SDP

  • SDP guber candidate, 15 others back Masari, Buhari

    The Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Katsina State, Alhaji Muazu Dahiru Rafindadi, and 15 other gubernatorial candidates of have thrown their weight behind Kastina StateState Aminu Masari and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Addressing newsmen in Katsina on Sunday, the candidates said their decision was based on belief the two candidates of the APC can lead both the state and the country to the Promised Land.

    The SDP candidate further added his decision was also a follow up to the resolution of the party leadership at the National level to queue behind President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the country to the next level.

    Read Also: Why Falae resigned as our chairman, by SDP

    He said: ’’Since the ideologies of both parties are nearly the same and seeing that we also share the same passion and vision with the Governor on the best way to develop the state, we were left with no choice than to step aside and allow the Governor to lead the state to the next level’’

    In a related development, the Shi’ite Youth Political Forum, Katsina State Chapter, hashas decla l support for Buhari and Masari in their second term bid.

    The leader of the Group, Alhaji Mallam Aminu Bara’a made the declaration when he leads the Forum to a courtesy visit to Secretary to Katsina State Government, Mustapha Muhammad Inuwan.

    He noted every patriotic Nigerian must agree that the Buhari’s Administration has laid solid foundation for the progress of this country which needs continuity.

    The Shi’ite youths leader also maintained that they have decided to rally round PMB and ABM because of the various achievements so far recorded by their Administration.

  • 25,000 SDP members defect to APC in Sokoto

    Following the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as its flag bearer, the party’s state and local government executives in Sokoto state on Thursday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with no fewer than 25, 000 other members.

    Addressing a press conference in Sokoto, the former acting State Chairman of the SDP, Alhaji Malami Alhaji Kyahe and the former Chairman of the Forum of Local Governments Chairmen of the party, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, said that, they defected to the APC without any strings attached .

    They said, “We ditched our former party because of its lack of justice, equity, direction and commitment to Nigeria’s even socioeconomic development.

    “We are extremely satisfied with the indelible and invaluable achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari, while we are truly determined to ensure his re-election for a second term.

    “This is to ensure the consolidation of these tangible achievements like bolstering security, doggedly fighting corruption, improving the economy, while Boko Haram has been totally decimated, among others.”

    The duo further described President Buhari as incorruptible, pious and strongly patriotic, as well as religiously committed to the Nigerian project.

    They also recalled the two tenures of Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko as Governor of Sokoto state between 2007 and 2015, saying, “He had delivered the dividends of democracy across the twenty three local governments of the state.

    “Even now as a Senator, he is living above board and he considers the entire state as his single constituency.

    “We are also totally optimistic that, the APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto and his running mate, Alhaji Faruk Malami Yabo, are qualified enough to be elected , while we are of the strong belief that , they will emulate Senator Wamakko, if elected .”

    Read Also: PDP hails Supreme Court’s ruling on Rivers APC

    Also speaking, the former Chairman of the SDP in Yabo Local Government, Alhaji Zayyanu Umar, described APC as the party to beat in Nigeria and promised all the defectors will work assiduously and selflessly to ensure the success of the candidates of the party, at all levels.

    In her remarks, the former Woman Leader of the SDP, Hajiya Rabi’atu Alhaji Yaro said that, women in the state are totally behind APC and all its candidates, at all levels.

    She averred that women in the state have since armed themselves with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), saying, “we will use them to massively vote in the candidates of APC, at all levels, during the forthcoming general elections.”

  • Why Falae resigned as our chairman, by SDP

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Chief Olu Falae resigned as chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Friday because of old age.

    The Director, Media & Publicity of SDP, Yemi Akinbode, said his resignation was not new to the leadership of the party.

    His resignation came hours after the party leaders adopted All Progressives Congress (APC)’s President Muhammadu Buhari as its candidate for the February 16 presidential election.

    Falae stated in his resignation letter that his ailing health is part of the reasons for his resignation.

    But Akinbode said Falae was part of the party leadership that adopted Buhari as SDP’s presidential candidate.

    Read Also: Olu Falae resigns as SDP chairman

    He said: “He stepped down as chairman of the party. He ought to have stepped down on September 31, 2018.

    “That was when he clocked 80 years of age. But I do not know what caused the delay.

    “He had earlier made it known that when he clocks 80 he will quit politics. It is not a new thing.

    “I feel that he was trying to wait after the election tactically to quit. But he did that now. And he cannot deny the adoption of President Muhammadu Buhari as the presidential candidate of the SDP because he was part of the entire process.“

  • Gana kicks over adoption of Buhari by SDP

    Former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana has rejected the adoption of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as its candidate for the February 16 presidential poll.

    Gana and his G19 presidential campaign team also condemned the action as the height of betrayal by the party’s leadership.

    Briefing reporters on the development on Friday in Abuja, Dr. Ike Neliaku, Director General, G19 Presidential Campaign Team of Prof. Jerry Gana, said majority of the authentic and principled National Executive Committee (NEC) members were not invited to the meeting.

    Neliaku said: ” On recent happenings within our party, the Social Democratic Party, we are therefore compelled to once again reach out to you and millions of Nigerians who are shocked by the pronouncement of yesterday by some renegade members of our Party, the SDP, under the guise of a National Executive Committee (NEC) purportedly met in Abuja and resolved to adopt the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as its consensus candidate in the forthcoming presidential election.

    “We wish to categorically condemn and dissociate ourselves from this unfortunate, retrogressive, outrageous, unjust, mercantilist, disgraceful betrayal of trust and antiparty activity led by a small faction loyal to the running mate to Donald Duke, Alhaji Shehu Gabam.

    “Their pronouncement puts the party in a political mudslide that not only put the party in bad light but is injurious to all other SDP Candidates standing election on the platform of the party.

    “This repulsive duplicity is unacceptable to our Campaign Team, our supporters and millions of esteemed SDP members whose voices we represent and on whose mandate this statement is issued.

    Read Also: I’ll not tolerate stealing as President – Jerry Gana

    “We note that majority of authentic and principled NEC members were not invited to the said meeting; while some that were invited boycotted the meeting.

    “Likewise, hirelings were recruited to bear the identities of genuine NEC members, who, though were invited but chose not to be a part of their envisaged insidious plot packaged in a desperate bid to create a perception of acceptability so as to enhance the value of their merchandise and ultimately increase the revenue of their transaction.”

    The team added: “We also like to state that the purported suspension of the National Publicity Secretary and some State chairmen of our party is laughable and unacceptable as due process and constitutional provisions were not followed.”

    Gana’s campaign team said while it was the right and prerogative of a political party to nominate, endorse or even adopt a candidate of its choice, the action must represent the popular will of the people.

    It said: “The process must be inclusive, and the outcome must be transparent. In this instance, these were not so.

    “We use this medium to call on all SDP members, supporters and advocates to take a definite stand against this totally unacceptable precedence.

    “While we await the judgment of the Supreme Court, we will continue to maintain our single focus and keep hope alive.”

    Gana, according to Neliaku will convene a stakeholder’s conference on Monday, in Abuja to mobilise, plan and organise how to win elections in various constituencies.

  • I remain SDP presidential candidate – Duke

    Former governor of Cross River, Mr Donald Duke, says he still remains the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and would present himself for the Feb. 16 poll.

    Duke said this in a statement on Friday in Lagos, while reacting to the decision of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to withdraw from the election and adopt President Muhammadu Buhari as its preferred candidate.

    “Regardless and for the avoidance of doubt, I Donald Duke, remain on the ballot and the candidate of the SDP as recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    “This unfortunate saga is as a result of an aspirant who lost at the party primaries on Oct. 6, 2018, fair and square, does not query the conduct of the primaries but rather resorts to bigotry, querying my suitability to contest for the presidency on grounds that I come from the wrong part of the country.

    “The Federal Court of Appeal has put this matter to rest. The office of president does not belong to any party and therefore not for a party to zone,” he said.

    Duke identified internal management of party affairs as the bane of the nation’s democracy.
    He said his decision to run for the presidency was to afford the electorate a credible alternative.

    “My decision to run on an untainted political platform rather than on one which I was a founding member is grounded on a desire to afford our electorate and indeed our nation a clean break, options and alternatives to her current gladiators.

    “For the SDP NEC to thereby endorse the APC or any other party, is rather unfortunate and betrays in my opinion, the desire of the vast majority of our party members and Nigerians credible alternatives to our nation’s leadership.

    “I need not say more, suffice that I remain on the ballot and thereby still present myself as a candidate for the office of president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Duke said.

    Read Also: Gana rejects Appeal Court affirmation of Duke

    The SDP NEC had on Thursday announced the party’s withdrawal from the presidential race while adopting Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, for the poll.
    It explained that the decision was based on the protracted legal issue facing the party.

    “We cannot campaign, we cannot do anything because of the protracted legal issue and we feel that it is impeccable to technically withdraw from the presidential election.

    “We want to focus on the National Assembly, Governorship and State House of Assemblies election for which we have fielded candidates across the country.

    “We are therefore adopting Buhari, the APC Presidential candidate, as our preferred candidate for the Feb. 16 election,” it said.

  • SDP endorses Buhari as Ezekwesili’s group adopts Atiku

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate President Muhammadu Buhari and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenger Atiku Abubakar yesterday got support.

    President Buhari was adopted by the Social Democratic (SDP) and the Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili-led civil society group, the Red Card Movement (RCM) pledged allegiance to the former vice president.

    The SDP adoption of Buhari took place in Abuja after the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting where a communique was issued and adopted by council members who were at the meeting.

    The party’s NEC explained why it took the decision.

    It National Chairman Chief Olu Falae was absent.

    The communique read by the SDP National Vice Chairman Abdul Ahmed Ishaq said: “It is in view of all this that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the SDP has resolved to adopt President Mohammadu Buhari and Vice Presidential candidate Prof. Yemi Osibanjo of the APC as candidates of the party for the 2019 presidential election.

    “Consequently, all members of the party are hereby enjoined to vote for President Buhari of the APC at the presidential election coming up on Saturday 16 February 2019.

    “The NEC noted and expressed happiness that the party’s candidates for various offices namely the State Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, the Senate and governorship offices are campaigning vigorously nationwide and their presence and impacts are being felt everywhere.

    “NEC calls on all our candidates throughout the country not to relent but must work even harder as we approach the finishing line. NEC also promised to support our candidates in every way possible to ensure their decisive victory at the polls.

    “The NEC also, expressed regret that since the end of the National Convention of the party held in Abuja on  October 6, 2018 and the emergence of Donald Duke as the presidential candidate, the party has been enmeshed in litigations which have significantly sapped our energy. time and resources.

    “With less than ten days before the Presidential election, our great party is caught up in a web with very little room for manoeuver. The options before us at this critical juncture are limited: we either realign our forces or we loose out completely

    “Whatever the dangers and demerits of political alignments, it is far better than to go on alone at this point as it will, in the end, disenfranchise our members. With the multitude of parties in the race for the crucial Presidency of the country, it has become imperative for engagements and strategic collaboration between and among parties that are strongly committed to the Nigerian ideal so that the future of our great country is not doomed.

    “A number of political parties have approached the SDP for collaboration during the forthcoming elections. However, after extensive deliberations, NEC noted that the party that comes close to and nearly shares the social democratic and progressive ideals and values of the SDP is the APC.

    “After further weighing the options and reviewing the political situation in the country, NEC was convinced that with the SDP and the APC working together.”

    At the NEC meeting were Prof. Tunde Adeniran National (Vice Chairman, South), Prof. Rufia Alkali (Deputy (National Vice Chairman, Northeast), Emeka Atuma (National Organising Secretary) and Shehu Gabam (National Secretary).

    The RCM adoption of the PDP candidate was a departure from the group’s initial position under Ezekwesili whereby it issued a Red Card to the PDP and the ruling APC.

    Ezekwesili resigned from the group to contest the presidential election on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) but withdrew from the race a few days ago.

    At a public declaration in Abuja yesterday, RCM’s co-Chairman, Dr. Tony Akabuno, said the decision to endorse Atiku was informed by the failure of the APC to fulfill its campaign promises to Nigerians.

    “We have come today to tell the world and our members, that the state champions, the co-chair (Dr.Tony Akabuno) and other co-conveners have dissociated from Oby Ezekwesili and today declare support for the Atiku/ Obi ticket,” he said.

  • Why we adopted Buhari as presidential candidate, by SDP

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Thursday adopted President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as its Presidential Candidate for the February 16 2019 presidential poll.

    The adoption took place in Abuja after the party’s NEC meeting where a communiqué was issued and adopted by NEC members present.

    But National chairman of the party, Chief Olu Falae was absent at the NEC meeting.

    Present however were National chairman South Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Deputy national vice chairman northeast Prof. Rufia Alkali; national Organising Secretary Hon. Emeka Atuma and National Secretary Shehu Gabam.

    The party explained it adopted Buhari because the battle for its presidential ticket between former Minister of Information Prof. Jerry Gana and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has taken a great toll on it.

    SDP, in the communiqué read by the National Vice Chairman, Dr. Abdul Ahmed Ishaq said: “It is in view of all this that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the SDP has resolved to adopt President Mohammadu Buhari and Vice Presidential candidate Prof. Yemi Osibanjo of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as candidates of the party for the 2019 Presidential election. “Consequently, all members of the party are hereby enjoined to vote for President Buhari of the APC at the presidential election coming up on Saturday 16 February 2019.

    “With less than ten days before the Presidential election, our great party is caught up in a web with very little room for manoeuver.

    “The options before us at this critical juncture are limited: we either realign our forces or we lose out completely

    “Whatever the dangers and demerits of political alignments, it is far better than to go on alone at this point as it will, in the end, disenfranchise our members.

    “With the multitude of parties in the race for the crucial Presidency of the country, it has become imperative for engagements and strategic collaboration between and among parties that are strongly committed to the Nigerian ideal so that the future of our great country is not doomed.

    “A number of political parties have approached the SDP for collaboration during the forthcoming elections. However, after extensive deliberations, NEC noted the party that comes close to and nearly shares the Social Democratic and Progressive ideals and values of the SDP is the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    “After further weighing the options and reviewing the political situation in the country, NEC was convinced that with the SDP and the APC working together.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns loss of lives at APC rally in Jalingo

    “SDP has a better chance of gaining lost grounds in meeting the yearnings of Nigerians and we have no doubt whatsoever that Nigeria will surely make progress and leap forward in the match go greatness through the solution of pending challenges and progressively to the next level.”

    The party NEC insisted that the adoption was only for the forthcoming presidential poll, stating “for the avoidance of doubt, NEC restates that this is not a merger between the SDP and the APC and therefore the SDP retains its identity and remains a distinct political party.

    “NEC calls on all our members nationwide to vote for SDP candidates for the National Assembly, Gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections.

    “We indeed expect and demand reciprocity from the APC in return as the implementation of these resolutions will be coordinated through Zonal and State committees, in view of local peculiarities.”

  • Breaking: Presidential poll: SDP adopts Buhari as candidate

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Thursday adopted President Muhammadu Buhari as its candidate for the 2019 election.

    This is part of its resolution at the ongoing NEC meeting in Abuja.

    Details shortly…..

  • Gana rejects Appeal Court affirmation of Duke

    Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, has rejected Thursday’s Appeal Court judgement, which affirmed former governor of Cross River State Donald Duke as presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    This came as national chairman of the party, Chief Olu Falae, called on all aggrieved members of the party to bury their differences and support Duke’s presidential ambition.

    Gana, addressing the media, on Friday in Abuja, through his campaign organisation, said having carefully weighed the views and options presented by SDP’s stakeholders and supporters, it was his considered opinion the judgement was erroneous, contradictory and a miscarriage of justice.

    Read Also: Appeal Court sacks Jerry Gana as SDP presidential candidate

    Director General, G19 Presidential Campaign Team of Prof. Gana,Dr Ike Neliaku, said: “Arising from the above and many other lacunas and contradiction in the judgement, we have carefully weighed the views and options presented by our stakeholders and supporters across the world and resolve to accede to what is in the long term interest of our democracy.

    “It is therefore our considered opinion that the judgement of the Court of Appeal is erroneous, contradictory and a miscarriage of justice.

    “The decision is therefore not acceptable to us

    “Accordingly, our candidate, Prof. Jerry Gana, has resolved to appeal the judgement at the Appeal Court.”

    Details later……..

  • Appeal Court restores Donald Duke as SDP presidential candidate

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has declared ex-Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke as the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    In a unanimous decision by a three-man panel, led by Justice Abdul Aboki, the court set aside the December 14, 2018 judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which had declared Jerry Gana the candidate of the party.

    The court awarded N500,000 cost against Gana, in favour of Duke.

    Details Soon…