A former minister of information, Jerry Gana, on Thursday, called for review of the presidential primary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in which he was defeated by a former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke.
Duke polled 812 votes to defeat Mr Gana who polled 611 votes at the primary held during the party’s national convention at Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
But Mr Gana said he should be declared the candidate of the party because Mr Duke was not qualified to contest for the ticket of the party, having been zoned to the northern part of the country.
In a statement by the director-general of his campaign organisation, Ike Neliaku, Mr Gana said the presidential ticket should have been zoned and rotated to the North.
”While the process was in progress, we drew the attention of some party leaders to the fact that the presidential ticket was constitutionally zoned to the North,” Mr Neliaku stated.
”Therefore, aspirants from the South should have been accordingly advised. Sadly, this matter of zoning was ignored.” he added.
Neliaku also said the Amended SDP 2018 Constitution states the principles of rotation and zoning of offices.
”The Party shall adhere to the principle of Zoning and Rotation of Political Offices based on the principles of inclusiveness, justice, equity and fairness to all. The Party therefore shall observe the following: The office of the President and National Chairman of the Party shall rotate between the South and North and amongst the six (6 geopolitical zones),” he stated.
He noted that since the the National Chairman of the SDP hails from the South, the presidential candidate ought to have been restricted to aspirants from the North.
”Since the National Chairman of our Party, Chief Olu Falae GCON, CFR, is from the South, it follows logically that in accordance with the tenets of our party, the letter and spirit of our Constitution; the contest for the Presidential candidacy of the Party ought to have been restricted to aspirants from the North. So our advise which was ignored, was not merely wishful thinking, but a weighty constitutional matter,” he said.
”In the light of the above, it is patently clear that in accordance with the SDP Constitution, Mr. Donald Duke did not meet the condition precedent for participating in the presidential primary of the Party in the first place. This singular constitutional provision clearly disqualifies Mr. Duke from the contest.
”Accordingly, our candidate, Professor Jerry Gana, being the candidate from the North that scored the highest lawful votes, should be returned as the candidate of the party for the 2019 presidential election.”
In its reaction, however, the party said it would address the complaints to ensure that the matter does not degenerate to the extent of jeopardising the confidence of Nigerians in SDP as the alternative party in the forthcoming 2019 general election.
In a statement signed by the party’s national publicity secretary, Alfa Mohammed, the party said it holds Mr Gana in very high esteem and would continue to treat him with utmost respect as a senior stakeholder and one of the father figures in the party.
”The attention of the leadership of the Social Democratic Party, SDP has been drawn to the grievances expressed by one of its presidential aspirants in the just concluded presidential primary election, Prof.Jerry Gana, at a press conference addressed by the DG of his campaign organisation, Ike. Neliaku.
”Consequently, we consider it imperative to state categorically that the National Headquarter of SDP has received a petition filed by the aspirant, and the presidential primary election appeal panel has commenced sitting on the appeal with the view to studying the grounds of the appeal and making necessary decisions.
”Similarly, being an internal party affair, the conflict resolution mechanism of the party is also being put into effect to ensure that the matter does not degenerate to the extent of jeopardising the confidence reposed in it by Nigerians as the alternative party in the forthcoming 2019 general election.
”The party holds Professor Jerry Gana to a very high esteem and would continue to treat him with utmost respect as a senior stakeholder and one of the father figures in the party.
”Be that as it may, it urges all its members across the globe; as well as the concerned members of the public to be calm and be rest assured that the matter will be resolved internally without delay and the party will come out stronger from it.
“We thank all those who have called to either express concern or solidarity with the party,” the party spokesperson stated.
Tag: SDP
-
2019: Jerry Gana rejects Donald Duke’s emergence as SDP presidential candidate
-
SDP spokesperson resigns, defects to APC
The National Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Princess Marian Tolofari, has resigned from the party.
Princess Tolofari confirmed her resignation in a letter made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to her, the resignation and defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is with immediate effect.
“This to inform the general public and the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of my resignation from my position as the National Publicity Secretary of the SDP and my exit from the party.
“This resignation and defection is with immediate effect,” part of the statement read.
Princess Tolofari explained that her “resignation followed many months of consultation with my political leader and Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Chibuike Ameachi, and other associates on the need to return to the political tree and family for which I have been associated for many years in Rivers State in particular and in the country.
“My pursuits in the SDP had been useful but alienated me from my grassroots political movement.
“I wish to thank all those I have associated with in the SDP and wish the party well.”
-
2019: Donald Duke emerges SDP presidential candidate
Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has emerged as the Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party for the 2019 general election.
Duke polled 812 votes to defeat his close rival, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, who polled 611 votes at the party’s National Convention held at Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
The Convention Returning Officer, Dr Abdul Isiaq, declaring the results of the presidential primary election at the early hours of Sunday, said Mr. John Dara, former Special Assistant to Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma, former Defence Minister, scored 104 votes.
He also announced that former Ambassador and former Minister, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher
polled 72 votes; former Ambassador, Felix Osakwe scored 10 votes, while the number of invalid votes was 63.Duke in his acceptance speech, described his emergence as a collective victory for all aspirants that participated in the contest, as well for the party and the nation.
He said that primary was just a step in the contest, saying he will go through the nation to campaign and sell the party and it’s policies to citizens.
Duke called for the support of all aspirants, the party officials and Nigerians to win 2019 general election, saying “we will reawaken in Nigerians that yearning that we are destined to be, but we cannot do this alone.”
He said that Nigeria was not a divided nation but a country of common purpose.
“What divides us is inadequacy and wants, because in the face of this survival of the fittest comes in, which ought not to be so because there is more than enough for everyone.”
He said if Nigerians were productive and abide by rules and regulations, the nation would grow from strength to strength.
“This is what good governance is all about and that is what I stand for”.
-
Why we lost Ekiti governorship election – SDP
The Social Democratic Party (SDP), one of the contending political parties at the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State has explained why it lost in the contest.
This was revealed in an interview on Sunday by a former Minister of Education and chieftain of the party, Prof Tunde Adeniran.
The former PDP national chairmanship candidate said the SDP lost in the just concluded governorship election in Ekiti State because the party did not buy votes like some other parties.
Adeniran averred that the SDP candidate, Mr Akin Ayegbusi, would have won the election if the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party didn’t resort to vote buying. He added that the SDP didn’t believe in vote buying and didn’t have such money to spend.
In his words: “If there was no ‘see and buy’, SDP would have won the election, because people were anxious to have an alternative to the two parties (APC and PDP). Ekiti people preferred the SDP.
“The people loved our manifesto and philosophy because they could connect with us, especially with the Abiola experience. We are the only party that is ideological in terms of philosophy, orientation and the policies we intend to pursue.
“We lost because we didn’t have the money to purchase votes like other parties, and the people have been pauperised, so they scavenge for what anyone brings. But we don’t believe in such. We believe in people voting according to their conscience.”
-
BREAKING: PDP, R-APC, SDP, 36 other political parties sign MoU to unseat Buhari in 2019 [Video]
Not than less thirty nine political parties converged on Musa Yar Adua Center in Abuja on Monday to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on how to unseat President Muhammadu Buhari come 2019 general election.
Among the leaders of the political parties at the occasion include, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC), Labour Party[LP] among others.
Recall that TheNewsGuru.com had earlier reported that the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, summoned a meeting of the top hierarchy of the party to discuss demands by those planning to join the former ruling party before the 2019 general elections.
Those who attended the meeting according to a notice circulated by the National Secretary of the party, Senator Umaru Tsauri, are the party’s presidential aspirants, all PDP governors, former governors, members and former members of the party in the National Assembly.
Others are members of the Board of Trustees, PDP former Ministers Forum and all the 37 state chairmen of the party, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The meeting, according to Tsauri, is “crucial“, the national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus would use the occasion to explain the interim report of the party’s Contact Committee to the attendees.
The committee, which is headed by a former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, was asked by the National Working Committee of the party to talk to aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress and also liaise with former leaders in the country on how to wrest power from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.
-
![Opeyemi Agbaje declares for Ogun guber race under SDP [Photos]](https://thenewsguru.ng/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/SDP-Agbaje.png)
Opeyemi Agbaje declares for Ogun guber race under SDP [Photos]
A lawyer, Opeyemi Agbaje, has declared his intention to contest for the governorship position in Ogun State under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), vowing to transform the state and initiate policies to alleviate poverty among the masses.
Agbaje, who hails from Ijebu-Ode, was a former lecturer at the Lagos Business School and one time head of department at the institution, stated this in a release yesterday, saying having toured several local government areas in the state, he was aware of the challenges of the people of the state.
The 53-year-old newspaper columnist stressed that he was ready for the task of governing the state, urging the people and all stakeholders in the state toward actualising his ambition, as his decision to contest the governorship position was not to acquire wealth but to serve the people.
He pledged financial and logistic support for the SDP at all levels in the state, adding that he would also support the party’s membership drive across the state.
“I have worked quietly but assiduously since January, and have visited 15 out of the 20 LGs in Ogun State to see the geography, resources, economic opportunities, developmental challenges and priorities across the state; as well as to engage with our people. I have now decided to join the SDP and pursue the governorship of Ogun State on its platform.
“I am not naïve about the scale of the assignment I have imposed on myself, and I understand that it requires tremendous commitment, energy and resources as well as the favour of God.
I also know it requires your support, which I humbly seek. I do not seek this position for self-aggrandisement but to fulfill an innermost passion for development, emancipation of our people and good governance. I do this out of compassion for our suffering masses and out of the conviction that what we seek to do have been done in other places.”
-
PDP loses rep to SDP
A member of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has formally announced his defecting to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The member, Olamide Oni, who represents Ijero/Ekiti-West/Efo federal constituency of Ekiti state, announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday during plenary.
He cited division as his reason for leaving the PDP which sponsored his election into the House of Representatives.
Oni is the first elected official to formally join the SDP.
Recall that the SDP had announced that some governors and members of the National Assembly would join its fold from the ruling APC and PDP.
Outside the National Assembly, some of the PDP leaders who left include two former ministers, Jerry Gana and Tunde Adeniran.
-
SDP delegates storms Ibadan to woo Alao-Akala
Chief Olu Falae, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party on Monday visited the Ibadan home of a former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, in a bid to woo him to join the SDP.
Alao-Akala recently defected to the All Progressives Congress after failing to win the state’s governorship election in 2015 on the platform of the Labour Party.
The former governor had earlier dumped the Peoples Democratic Party after a disagreement with the national leaders over the conduct of the state primaries and what he described as imposition of candidate.
Falae was accompanied to Alao-Akala’s house by other SDP leaders including a former Minister for Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, Dr. Olu Agunloye, Taiwo Akeju, Chief Kola Balogun and Princess Oyeronke Akinlolu.
In his address, Falae said Nigerians who believe in national unity, justice, equity and progress must come together and rescue the nation from its present position.
He said, “There is a need for us to be together to save Nigeria and restore democracy, by bringing about a new hope for fulfillment. We are optimistic that every Nigerian that wants the nation to be saved will join hands with us in this effort.”
Alao-Akala said he was flattered by the visit of Falae and other SDP leaders, describing the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation as respected statesman.
He said he would get back to the party after consulting with his loyalists on the issue.
-
2019: SDP appoints Olu Falae Chairman of National Working Committee
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appointed former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae as the National Chairman of its Interim National Working Committee (NWC).
According to a statement on Friday by the party’s spokesperson, Adakole Ijogi, the party announced the committee at a press conference on Thursday at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja.
The chairman of the steering committee at the event, Jerry Gana, who recently joined the party, announced the members of the NWC.
They are; Olu Falae: National Chairman; Abdul Ahmed Isiaq;,Deputy National Chairman; Shehu Musa Gabam, National Secretary; Ebenezer Ikeyina, National Vice Chairman; Junaid Muhammed, National Vice Chairman; Supo Sonibare; National Vice Chairman,and E.B Henshaw; National Vice Chairman.
Others are Joseph Abu, National Legal Adviser; Nnamdi Clarkson;,National Treasurer; Emeka Atuma, National Organizing Secretary; Adakole Ijogi, National Spokesperson; Kehinde Ayoola, National Financial Secretary; Maryam Batubo, Women Leader; and Stanley Nwaka,Youth Leader.
According to a report by Daily Post online newspaper on Thursday, a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Rufai Ahmed Alkali, has also joined the party as he was seen at the press conference.
Earlier last week, a former Minister of Education who was defeated in the last election of the National Chairman of the PDP, Tunde Adeniran, announced his defection to the SDP.
The party in 2015 backed the failed reelection bid of then President Goodluck Jonathan.
-
2019: With Atiku, Gana, others we’ll deliver real change to Nigerians – SDP
A chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr Olu Agunloye, on Wednesday said the party remained the only viable alternative to deliver real change to Nigerians.
Agunloye, a former minister, made the statement in a telephone interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He said the party has the programmes to move the country forward, with its focus on delivering development through good governance in the country.
The former minister said it was not by accident, but the belief in the SDP’s capacity to deliver, that some chieftains of other political parties defected to the party recently.
He described as a good development the defection of two former ministers, Prof. Tunde Adeniran and Prof. Jerry Gana, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the SDP.
Agunloye, who was the SDP candidate in the November 2016 governorship election in Ondo, described the duo as accomplished Nigerians.
He said their coming would add value to the party.
Agunloye, however, said the party had received other prominent politicians into its fold, while so many others had indicated interest to join the party.
“The coming of Prof. Adeniran and Prof. Gana is a good development for the party. These are accomplished Nigerians and they would surely add value.
“But these two personalities are not the only prominent people that have joined the party.
“Just two days ago, a governorhip aspirant of the All Progressives Party (APC) in Adamawa joined the party with about 16,000 of his supporters.
“So many people have also indicated interest to join the party from across other political parties, we are expecting more people soon,” he said.
Agunloye, however, said the party would welcome people who were ready to align with the its vision to reposition the country and not people who were coming just to seek tickets for their aspirations.
On the speculations that SDP was in talks with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to join it, Agunloye said he had no knowledge of the moves.
He, however, said Atiku, just like other Nigerians, was free and welcome to join the party.
“Atiku is free to join our party. He is welcome to join us. I worked with him at the cabinet of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and he is a man I respect a lot,” he said.
Agunloye said the party had commenced registration for interested Nigerians across the country ahead of the 2019 elections.
He said Nigerians could identify with the vision of SDP by registering online and through other convenient mediums across the country.