The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Social Democratic Party (SDP).

  • Abia SDP elects 36-member state EXCO

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abia on Saturday elected a 36-member state executive committee, amidst complaints from Abia South Zone.

    The exercise which took place in Umuahia  went on smoothly until the moderator and Chairman of the Congress Committee, Mr Effiong Unah, announced one Chukwudi Abangowe, as the Organising Secretary.

    Thenationonline.net learnt that the zone had nominated one Chukwuemeka Akomas, reputed to be a founding member and chief financier of the party in the area, for the position.

    In a spontaneous reaction, leaders and other members of the party from the zone staged a walk out from the venue of the congress to protest against the non-inclusion of Akomas.

    The Zonal Woman Leader, Mrs Mary Linus, and other stakeholders in the zone, including Mr Dickson Asonye and Mr Frederick Okoh, alleged in an interview with Our Reporter that the zone was short-changed.

    They said that the choice of Abangowe instead of  Akomas, “who nurtured the party from inception” was unacceptable to them.

    “This is the end of SDP in Aba North and Aba South and Abia South Zone as a whole if they fail to reverse the decision.

    “We conceded some positions to other zones as part of the party’s resolution in favour of harmonise.

    “This decision is unacceptable to us because we do not know of any petition against Akomas before now,” said Asonye and Okoh.

    Reacting to the complaint, the Congress Committee Chairman said that there was a petition against Akomas that was still pending before the party’s National Working Committee.

    “We got a directive from the national headquarters of the party that there is a petition against Akomas, hence his nomination was dropped,” Unah said.

    He described the congress as peaceful, saying that the protest was “a normal situation in a party congress.

    “The Congress is peaceful. In some other parties, you experience worse things, including fighting, so the protest is like a drop of water in the ocean.”

    NAN reports that all the positions were filled by consensus, subject to affirmation by the party members.

    The list of the new executive, include Chief Chidi Nwosu (chairman), who was the Steering Committee Chairman, Mrs Juliet Nwabuike (Deputy Chairman) and Mr Okereke Ogbonna (Secretary).

    In an acceptance speech, Nwosu expressed thanks to the delegates for the confidence the members reposed in him and promised to run an all-inclusive and open-door administration.

    He said that the party would continue to intensify its membership drive ahead of the 2019 general elections.

  • 2019 Presidency: Jerry Gana declares under SDP

    ...Laments Nigeria facing serious existential threat

     

     

    An aspirant for the 2019 Presidential poll under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof Jerry Gana, has warned that Nigeria is facing an existential threat in the proportion comparable to the end of Biafra war.

    Speaking while officially declaring interest to contest for the exalted position, the former Minister of Information expressed sadness on the level of crippling uncertainty everywhere in the country.

    He further cautioned that the present government has shown incompetence and lack of capability to turn around the drifting country, warning that Nigeria will implode if President Muhammadu Buhari returns for second term.

    Read Also:2019: Fresh crisis hits PDP as Jerry Gana, Adeniran, Orubebe, Turaki, others dump party for SDP

    The former chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) pointed out that apart from insecurity which has rendered human life brutish, short and nasty in the country, the asymmetrical war on corruption by the present government is fueling ethnic decadence.

    “Being a patriotic and committed democrat, who has carried a burden for the rapid development of our far nation for decades, I am deeply concerned at the very real prospect of Nigeria imploding unless our great party comes to the rescue with a God fearing, dynamic, untainted and credible leadership.

    “Nigeria is facing an existential threat, the seriousness and proportion of which have never been witnessed since the end of the war.

    “There is crippling uncertainty everywhere. People are suffering unprecedented and untold hardships as a result of arrested development. Insecurity that has rendered human life brutish, short and nasty is rampart across the zones, states, communities and villages.

    “Asymmetrical war on corruption is fueling further ethnic decadence, while anxiety, unpatriotism and poverty have coalesced into a creepy epidemic of self-doubt. In all of this, the current leadership of the nation, at the highest level of government seems unconcerned, incompetent or incapable of turning around the drift.

    “Since I joined politics in 1978 at the younger age in my early 30s, about 40 years ago, under the mentorship of the Greta Owelle Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, the inspiration of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the tutelage of the emancipator chief Solomon Lar, the charismatic Alhaji Abubakar Rimi among many others right from my days in the Nigerian Senate, I have maintained a track record of performances.

    “I have maintained integrity, competence, character, capacity and respect to public office. These opportunities and exposure added to the fact that I have widely traveled across the length and breadth of the nation, many times by toad, I have a front row understanding of our country, as well as the wealth of experience have definitely placed me in a most very vantage position, for above several others, to remark Nigeria and deeply renew the hope of the people in the federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Having consulted and affirmed by my family, local community, friends and a cross-section of eminent citizens and stakeholders across the core national divides of ethnicity, religion and regions, I am convinced that this is the fit time for me to offer for this national assignment on the platform of our great party.

    “By my track record, my desire to seek to contest the election into the highest political office is not motivated by a quest for self-glorification nor aggrandizement, rather it is borne out of my patriotic zeal and conviction that with my pedigree, experience, skills and academic endowment, I can provide the requisite leadership to transform the fortunes of our people and change the trajectory of our country towards the attainment of our fullest potentials.

    “It is my hope and prayer that the party will positively note my interest as under your able leadership, it offers opportunities for service to our dear country, Nigeria,” he said.

    Responding, Dr Ishaq Abdul Ahmed, the Deputy National Chairman of SPD, who represented the National Chairman, Olu Falae, described Prof Gana as an asset to the party and the country.

  • MoU to rescue Nigeria, says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Monday assured that the coming together of various opposition political parties to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would rescue Nigeria in 2019.

    He said that the coming together of the parties would also restore the country on the path of democratic freedoms, joy, security, and development.

    A statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu said that Ekweremadu gave the assurance during the signing of the MoU by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Reformed-All Progressives Congress (rAPC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), among other opposition political parties in Abuja on Monday.

    He said that the mammoth crowd outside the venue which had gathered to witness the birth of a new Nigeria, showed that Nigerians now saw hope again and urged the grand alliance not be disappoint the people.

    Read Also:Insecurity: More will die unless, Ekweremadu warns

    He said: “For three years, what I see on the faces of Nigerians is frustration and anguish. But for the first time, I tell you that I saw joy. I saw people laughing and smiling for the first time in three years.

    “Those our brothers and sisters, and investors, who left Nigeria in the last three years are also rejoicing with you because by this time next year, they will all be back.

    “Those factories that were closed are going to come back alive by this time next year and Nigerians will rejoice.

    “The people of the South East whom the programmes and practices of this government are forcing them to have a rethink on their membership of this country, today will rejoice and be happy that a new country that will be fair to all is coming; a country that they will be proud to be part of and continue to contribute to her development.

    “All our people in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, who have been wondering or believe that they will spend the rest of their lives in the IDP camps are happy today because their stay there is almost over; because next year, we will enthrone a government that will take them to their homes and protect them there.

    “The media houses, all the instruments and institutions of democracy that have been trampled and muzzled in this country, they will be free again to do their work without fear of intimidation.

    “Those, who are being persecuted on account of their political views or insisting that the right thing should be done, are also going to rejoice because a new dawn is here,. One of them is my brother, Senator Dino Melaye, who went through hell, but today, he is a free man.

    “Also, remember that Nelson Mandela said that unless Nigeria earns the respect of the world, no one would respect Africa. So, various countries of Africa, who have looked up to Nigeria to provide leadership will have a good dinner in their houses today, happy that we are coming back again to retake our place again as the foremost country in Africa and to provide leadership”.

    He enjoyed Nigerians to keep faith with the new movement as they days of their anguish and sufferings were numbered.

  • PDP, APC supporters, join Obasanjo’s movement in Ondo

    PDP, APC supporters, join Obasanjo’s movement in Ondo

    A ‘third force’ group floated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo under the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) held its inaugural meeting Friday in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

    Members who were mainly People’s Democratic Party (PDP) supporters with few aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Alliance for Democracy (AD) members came from across the 18 local government areas of the state.

    Among them were its Coordinator, Hon.Demola Ijabiyi, Protem Secretary, Oluwarotimi Akintoye (Zadok) Former Deputy Speaker, Dare Emiola, Former PDP State Chairmen, Ebenezer Alabi and Biyi Poroye, Dr Dare Bada, Former Mimiko’s aide, Sunday Menukuro, and Kehinde Alabi.

    It also included APC chieftains, Jimi Adekanle (JAF) and Mrs Kehinde Adeniran (kk) and others.

    Addressing the gatherings, Ijabiyi said the forum was not a political party yet, but a mass movement to determine how Nigerians would be salvaged from the bondage of the discredited politicians in the APC and PDP.

    He explained that the platform made up of various groups and tendencies would constitute a new policy order, urging every Nigerian to embrace the Coalition.

    According to Ijabiyi “APC and PDP are vessels of darkness, we are bringing people to light, as nobody will like to remain in darkness, there is the need to liberate ourselves  from the bondage of these exploiters, who have no solution to the problems of the country.

    The Coordinator who is an ally of Chief Obasanjo said “For now, we are not a political party, but after collating the movement as a formidable mass movement of people in all sectors of life, the decisions of leaders of the Coalition will metamorphose into a political party”.

    He noted that already there were several movements coming up that would align with this coalition to achieve the desired goals.

    Ijabiyi said the youths would form the largest component of those to lead the movement and determine their leaders at various levels, stressing that there is no way the present precarious situation in the country will be allowed to remain persistent without seeking best alternative.

  • Economic recovery: Not time for celebration – SDP

    Economic recovery: Not time for celebration – SDP

    The Social Democratic Party ( SDP ) says it is not yet time for celebration as the country is reported to be out of economic recession.

    The party made the observation in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary Mr Alfa Mohammed, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Mohammed said that the party had taken notice of the reported growth in the country’s GDP as indicated by the report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

    He said that while technically Nigeria was out of recession as the report showed that the  GDP quarterly growth was no longer negative, economic hardship still continued and unemployment remained.

    “Hence, we are of the view that it is not celebration time yet, as the interest rate which determines the amount of money available for investment is still high.

    “Also the 16.25 per cent inflation rate reported in the month of May is still not a good enough indicator.

    “We are however of the opinion that if the growth in the non oil sectors are improved upon and capital spending is increased through effective budget implementation, then we can begin to have a sigh of relief soon.”

    He also stressed the need to see the reflection of the achievements in the welfare of the common man on the street.

    According to him, there are unpaid civil servants, pensioners and the students are out of the classes as well as none appreciable decrease in the unemployment rate.

  • Ladoja returns to PDP

    Ladoja returns to PDP

    Former Oyo governor Rasheed Ladoja, who defected to the Accord Party to contest the state’s governorship seat in the 2015 general elections, has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Ladoja, along with Mr Seyi Makinde, a chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the state, moved to the PDP on Thursday in Ibadan, when Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Chairman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, visited the Oyo capital.

    The former governor, who won the seat on the ticket of the PDP in 2011, said that he was returning to his home, adding that it was not his wish to leave the PDP when he did.

    “When I left the PDP some years ago, it was because of the injustice done to me.

    “We left because the PDP leaders, at that time, were not ready to protect the interest of all members. We are back now because the new leadership has promised to right all wrongs and avoid mistakes of the past.

    “I have discussed with members of the Accord party and they have asked for amnesty; we need assurance from Makarfi that Accord Party members will be given equal treatment and a level playing ground,” Ladoja stated

    In his response, Makarfi said that he came to Ladoja “to take you back to where you belong”.

    “We want you to return to your great beginning; we want to start all over again as one family,” he said.

    Makarfi expressed optimism that Ladoja’s presence would add value to the PDP in Oyo State, adding that he (Ladoja) had committed no crime to warrant a plea for amnesty.

    He implored PDP members to forget the past and work toward party unity, and assured Ladoja and new PDP members of equal opportunity for all.

    Makinde, in his remark, assured Makarfi of his group’s total support to the ideals of the PDP, urging him to protect the interest of his members.

    Two PDP chieftains, Chief Richard Akinjide and Chief Yekini Adeojo, who spoke at the occasion, commended Makarfi over his efforts to reconcile warring factions and “especially for wooing new members into the fold”.

    Akinjide particularly promised to assist Makarfi toward rebuilding the PDP, and urged him to carry all members along, so as to create a sense of oneness.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that hundreds of Accord party, SDP, and PDP supporters received Makarfi who also visited Chief Christopher Alao-Akala, another former Oyo governor being wooed by Makarfi.

  • PDP wins all chairmanship, councillorship seats in Ebonyi LGA elections

    PDP wins all chairmanship, councillorship seats in Ebonyi LGA elections

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the chairmanship seats of the 13 Local Government Areas of Ebonyi in the Saturday local council polls.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the party also won all the councillorship seats in the 171 wards of the state.

    Mr Jossy Eze, Chairman of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) announced this on Sunday at the commission’s headquarters in Abakaliki while declaring result of the polls.

    According to him, seven political parties participated in the elections out of the 40 registered parties in the state including the PDP and the All Progressive Congress (APC)

    “The other parties that contested in the elections include: African Democratic Party (ADC), African Peoples Party (APA) Merger Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP) Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP).

    “The PDP’s candidate in Abakaliki LGA, Emmanuel Nwangele won with 65, 036 votes, Ogbonnaya Oko-Enyim won in Afikpo LGA with 55, 808, Eni Uduma-Chima-Afikpo South 50, 894, Juliet Nwaogbaga—Ebonyi, 54, 527 and Nora Aloh—Ezza North, 58, 423 votes.

    “The PDP candidate in Ezza South LGA, Sunday Ogodo won with 50, 576 votes, John Nnabo—Ikwo, 77, 132, Henry Eze—Ishiellu, 68, 263, Ude Ogbonnaya—Ivo, 28, 787 Paul Nwogha—Izzi, 84, 088, Clement Odaa—Ohaukwu,84, 088, Nkechi Iyioku—Ohaozara, 55, 698 and Felix Igboke—Onicha,59, 698 votes,” he said.

    Eze declared that the APC trailed in a distant second position with an accumulated  5, 900 votes while most of the other parties did not record a single vote in most LGA’s.

    He commended the electorate, party agents, security officials, observers, among other stakeholders, for ensuring a smooth and credible electoral process, noting that cases of electoral disturbances were very minimal.

    “We have been able to deliver a credible election to Ebonyi people despite inherent challenges as the state has the enviable record of conducting LGA elections in the country, every three years,” he said.

    Mr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, state PDP Chairman, congratulated the party faithful for the victory and noted that it was an indication of what to expect in the state, in the 2019 genera elections.

    “This resounding success has proved that PDP is the only party which viably exists in Ebonyi and we are not going to rest on our oars until such feat is repeated in 2019,” he said.

    Mr Splendour Eze, state Chairman of the Advanced Congress for Democrats (ACD) hailed the smooth conduct of the election but regretted that his party did not participate in it.

    Eze, who is the state Secretary of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), lamented that the current economic hardship in the country made most parties not to participate in the election.

    “The state governor was magnanimous to offset 50 per cent of the nomination fees of N500, 000 for chairmanship candidates and N100, 000 for councillorship positions, for registered parties in the state.

    “The balance despite the subsidy was still high as it was still not within the reach of most parties,” he said.

    Miss Isabella Monye, an Election Observer from Anambra, however, disputed the high figures released by EBSIEC for the elections, noting that it did not reflect what observers witnessed in various polling units.

    “During our monitoring on Saturday we observed that the turnout for the election was poor so I wonder where EBSIEC got these high figures from,” she said.

  • PDP, AD, SDP form opposition forum

    PDP, AD, SDP form opposition forum

    The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party and several other political parties have agreed to constitute a broad based political opposition, known as United Forum of Democrats.

    The group disclosed this in a resolution signed by Prof. Jerry Gana on Thursday in Abuja after its Wednesday’s meeting.

    According to the resolution the forum is made up of the leadership of PDP, People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alliance for Democracy (AD), Accord Party, among other political parties.

    It stated that the forum would be effective, responsible and fearless watchdog, by mutual agreement to broaden the base of the opposition in the country.

    Gana, who was a former Information Minister had on Wednesday while submitting the report of PDP Strategy Review and Inter-party Affairs in Abuja said that PDP was already meeting with some leaders of political parties.

    He disclosed that the initial contacts had yielded positive responses from seven people-focused and social democratic parties which would meet in Abuja.

    “This has nothing to do with the rumoured Mega Party, but a separate and highly principled initiative of the PDP.

    “Our desire is to have all genuine democrats and friends of the people to flow together and provide a fresh and trustworthy leadership to promote and ensure people-friendly process of national development,’’Gana said

    According to the resolution, the forum would henceforth ensure that the electoral and security Umpires in the country act strictly within the dictates and ethics of their profession.

    “We have resolved that we shall stand united and steadfastly work together in the interest of the vast majority of our people who are now suffering and traumatized.

    The forum also upheld the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference and was resolved to work earnestly for its full implementation.

    “We equally resolved that we shall work together henceforth in all upcoming elections as we approach 2019.

    “This is to ensure we enthrone genuine democracy, good governance, respect for the rule of law and put an end to the reign of civilian dictatorship.’’

     

  • 268, 942 people eligible to vote in Lagos bye-election – INEC

    268, 942 people eligible to vote in Lagos bye-election – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that only 268, 942 of the 340, 634 registered voters in Ifako/Ijaiye Federal Constituency in Lagos can vote in Saturday’s bye election in the constituency.
    Mr Clement Oha, The Administrative Secretary of INEC in the state, said that only 268,942 registered voters in the constituency possessed Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs).

    Oha spoke to Journalists on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ forum organised by the commission with political parties involved in the election.

    Oha said: “Only 268, 942 eligible voters have in their possession PVCs to exercise their voting right on Saturday election.

    “We are no longer distributing PVCs; only these people will be allowed to vote. We want to beg people who have no business with the exercise to steer clear.”
    He noted that some voters who had PVCs might have relocated from the constituency while some might have died.

    Oha said that INEC was ready for the poll, and urged voters to arrive at their polling units early.
    He said that accreditation and voting would commence simultaneously at 8a.m.

    The official said that INEC would conduct a free, fair and transparent poll.

    Oha urged politicians and their supporters to be peaceful before, during and after the poll.

    He said that the constituency had 335 polling units and 687 voting points, urging party agents to cooperate with INEC for a successful poll.

    Six political parties are to contest in the poll, they are: Action Alliance (AA), Alliance for Democracy (AD), African Democratic Party (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    The bye-election resulted from the death of Mr Elijah Adewale, who represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.

    Adewale died in Abuja on July 20.

  • PDP, SDP, AA members defect to AD in Ondo.

    PDP, SDP, AA members defect to AD in Ondo.

    Ahead of saturday’s governorship election in Ondo state, scores of members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Action Alliance (AA) on Tuesday joined the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Ondo state.

    The defectors said the decision to dump their former parties was based on their conviction that only the AD government could rescue the state from the hopelessness currently being experienced by the people of the state.

    They were received into the AD by the party’s governorship candidate in Saturday’s election, Chief Olusola Oke, at his campaign grand finale at the Democracy Park, Akure, the state capital.

    The AA national secretary, Kenneth Eze, announced the collapsed of the party’s structure in the state into the AD.

    The governorship candidate of the party, Yinka Orokoto, also declared that he had stepped down for the AD standard bearer.
    Leading the PDP defectors was a two-term member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Akindele Adeniyi.

    The former PDP members including the two-term lawmaker representing Akure North Constituency,Akindele Adeniyi explained the party had collapsed in the state, saying the only option for them was the AD.

    The AD national chairman, Chief Joseph Avazi, called on people of the state to vote for the candidate of the party in the election.

    Avazi said the AD government would serve the state, adding that only the party could ensure the desired change.

    Oke, who warned against any attempt to manipulate the poll, however, said that the Resident Electoral Commissioner in state, Segun Agbaje, had given assurance that the wish of the people would prevail.

    The AD candidate urged people of the state to come out to vote for him and his running mate, Hon. Gani Dauda, on the Election Day.

    He said: “We’ve came to repair. We’re  also come to prevent further destruction of the good legacies of our former leaders.

    “There are electric poles but no light. There are boreholes but no water. There are graduates but no jobs. This is unacceptable. It is on this note that that AD has come to restore the glory of the state.

    “Our economy will be revived. AD government will eradicate poverty. We shall build on what Papa Ajasin, Chief Adefarati and Dr. Agagu built. Our mission is to create wealth and generate employment.”

    Also the Iyaloja-General of Ondo state,Mrs Folasade Ojo urged her members to come out and vote massively for Oke on saturday.

    She said market men and women would benefit more under the government of Olusola Oke,who she described as transparent and humble,if elected.

    The Director- General (DG) Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation (OOCO) Bola Ilori warned the APC mafia boasting of rigging the coming election to desist in order to prevent anarchy in the state regarded as politically volatile.