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Tag: SDP

  • SDP accuses APC of disrupting its Kogi rally; it’s not true – APC

    SDP accuses APC of disrupting its Kogi rally; it’s not true – APC

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring thugs to evade its rally at Ejule Kogi, Ofu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state chasing away supporters.

    Mr Faruk Adejoh-Audu, the Director, Communications, Muri/Sam SDP Gubernatorial Campaign Council stated this in a statement in Lokoja.

    “Earlier at about 9: 30a.m., about two hours before the rally was scheduled to commence, the thugs descended on the St Matthews primary school venue and destroyed the canopies, public address systems, chairs and the podium arranged for the event.

    “But SDP leaders in the locality led by Elder Obolo, Rabi Emaiku and Gambo Haruna encouraged supporters to ignore the intimidation and still show up for the rally.

    “The moment supporters began trooping to the rally ground, a group led by a motorcade again unleashed the thugs this time shooting sporadically.

    “Several persons were injured in the course of the mayhem, while the thugs equally destroyed several vehicles they identify as belonging to SDP supporters,’’ he said.

    He added: “This is the second time that an SDP rally will be attacked by identified aides of an opposition party official leading thugs in less than two weeks,” he said.

    The SDP campaign director alleged that similar attack was carried out on an SDP rally in Koton Karfe in Kogi LGA on Sept. 29.

    Reacting, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the spokesperson for APC Campaign Council said in Lokoja that the allegations were untrue as the party had no hand in the attacks.

    “We are not ready to join issues with SDP because doing so is glorifying them more so that we won’t be dragged into their frivolities, gasping lies and lack of direction.

    “As a government, our concern and responsibility is to create an enabling environment for all to pursue their normal businesses.

    “We are a government and our priority is to protect all the people of Kogi irrespective of political leanings.’’

  • 63rd Independence Anniversary: Tinubu’s broadcast ‘sounds so hopeful’ – SDP

    63rd Independence Anniversary: Tinubu’s broadcast ‘sounds so hopeful’ – SDP

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) says President Bola Tinubu’s national broadcast to commemorate Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary ‘sounds so hopeful’.

    The South-West Zonal Secretary of SDP, Mr Femi Olaniyi, told NAN on Sunday in Lagos that the President needed collective support, perseverance and patience of all and sundry.

    “This is a speech of hope for a greater Nigerian. With collective support and lots of perseverance and patience, we all will laugh at last.

    “Nigeria is for all of us and we must work in synergy to promote our economy and bounce back as the giant of Africa.

    “The Speech sound so hopeful and we hope he will fulfil all that he mentioned,” Olaniyi, who is also the Lagos State Chairman of SDP, said.

    He, however, urged the President to expedite actions to meet Nigerian expectations in addressing the growing poverty, hardship and suffering.

    Olaniyi advised Tinubu to use the occasion of the anniversary to intensify efforts to deliver hope in all ministries and sectors of the nation’s economy.

    According to him, the President should have captured all issues labour unions were agitating for in his speech.

    “The President needs to strive on social economy assurance to alleviate hardship in the land,” he said.

    The chairman called for peace, unity and love among Nigerians to foster and build a prosperous country everyone would be proud of.

    President Tinubu, in the 63rd independence anniversary broadcast on Sunday, commended the nation’s founding fathers and mothers, saying that the travails Nigerians had endured shall strengthen the country.

    The President, who noted that his pledges were to reshape and modernise the nation’s economy and to secure the lives, liberty and property of the people, said that bold reforms were necessary to place our nation on the path of prosperity and growth.

    Tinubu said that her was attuned to the hardships that have come due to fuel subsidy removal, saying “I have a heart that feels and eyes that see. Reform may be painful, but it is what greatness and the future require.

    “We now carry the costs of reaching a future Nigeria where the abundance and fruits of the nation are fairly shared among all, not hoarded by a select and greedy few.

    “A Nigeria where hunger, poverty and hardship are pushed into the shadows of an ever fading past.

    “There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish today’s difficulties did not exist. But we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future.”

    The President, who noted his government was doing all that it could to ease the load,

    Tinubu said that he had embarked on several public sector reforms to stabilise the economy, direct fiscal and monetary policy to fight inflation, encourage production, ensure the security of lives and property and lend more support to the poor and the vulnerable.

    He added that his government was introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation, saying for the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional N25,000.

  • Kogi Guber: Hoodlums set ablaze SDP campaign office

    Kogi Guber: Hoodlums set ablaze SDP campaign office

    The campaign office of  Yakubu Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), guber candidate, in Kogi state has been set ablaze by persons suspected to be hoodlums.

    The office, which is located at John Holt Road, beside HABSO Petroleum Ltd., Lokoja, was set on fire at midnight on Sunday.

    It was gathered that the property was set ablaze in the middle of the night but some residents  were able to put off the inferno,

    It was learnt further that the armed thugs also set ablaze vehicles parked inside the secretariat before attacking security men stationed at the premises.

    SDP deputy governorship candidate, Sam Ranti Abenemi, while addressing journalists on Monday, accused members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being responsible.

    According to him, one of the state governor’s Senior Special Advisers spearheaded the burning of the campaign office.

    He said: “The hoodlums came in large numbers and set all the properties in the office on fire, including generators, computers, campaign materials, and televisions.

    “SDP and its governorship candidate remain popular, and everything legal will be done to stop this uncivilized attitude. Let me use this medium to call on all our supporters to remain calm.”

    It was also reported that a few weeks ago, the same campaign office was vandalized by thugs who broke the windows and reportedly carted away items, including air conditioners.

  • Ex-gubernatorial aspirant, Kuraun, dumps SDP, rejoins APC

    Ex-gubernatorial aspirant, Kuraun, dumps SDP, rejoins APC

    The former gubernatorial aspirant of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP), Dr. Jeffrey Kuraun in Benue State, has rejoined the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

    Kuraun resigned from the SDP on the grounds that the party is not a veritable platform to help him actualise his desire to render service to his people.

    His resignation letter dated 30th June, 2023, was made available to journalists and has been acknowledged by the SDP Chairman, Mbatyough in his Ward, Vandeikya Local Government Area.

    Dr. Kuraun in a chat journalists said, “the decision to resign my membership of the SDP is not for myself but for the people I seek to serve. This is why I took time before arriving at this logical conclusion to leave the SDP and reunite with my family (APC) like a prodigal son.

    “I believe that the APC is the only party at the moment that will provide an opportunity for me to serve the good people of Benue and Nigeria at large.

    “It is true that I have resigned my membership. What I am saying is that, if I should have an opportunity to serve, I will go with the party that would give me the platform. At this moment the SDP will not provide me that opportunity and platform.

    “I have rejoined the APC. I don’t have to do it elaborately. I believe the APC is the only party now that will give me the opportunity to serve the people of Benue and Nigeria at large”.

    According to the former governorship aspirant, his decision was logical because it took him time, wide and intensive consultations with his supporters to arrive at.

    “The reason is that I did not just do it for myself but the people I seek to serve. It took me some time to arrive at that logical decision. I have gone back to my family which is the first party I joined. the only reason I left APC that time was to have a level playing field, and an opportunity to serve the people of Benue and Nigeria at large.

    “It is like the prodigal son. It was the first party I joined in partisan Politics”

    He disabused the minds of those who may want to refer to him as an inconsistent politician noting that, “there is nothing like inconsistency in Politics.

    The only reason I defected to other party was to have a credible platform to serve my people as there is no individual candidacy in Nigeria.

    “I don’t think there is anything wrong with such decision. There were even other parties I could have joined but decided to merge tent with the SDP because they gave me the ticket.

    “There is hardly any politician today that has not moved from one party to another political party for one reason or the other and there is absolutely nothing wrong with such decision. My supporters understood that. However, before taking this decision, I consulted with them widely before taking my final decision.”

    However, Kuraun, added that the experience he has garnered in SDP are solid ground to hinge on greater political ascendency in spite of other litigation on the side of the party.

    “During those period, I might have stepped on many toes but all we should focus on now is to see how we can salvage our country. What we can do to contribute to the development of our state which is my major focus”

    He used the opportunity to offer prayers to the leaders for God’s guidance and protection especially now that partisan politics is over. He admonished Nigerians to proffer that would promote the advancement and progress of the country.

  • 10th NASS: SDP appoints coordinator for caucus

    10th NASS: SDP appoints coordinator for caucus

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appointed Senator-elect Ahmed Wadada to coordinate the party’s caucus in the 10th National Assembly.

    The appointment is contained in a letter in Abuja on Saturday signed by the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, and National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye.

    Wadada will represent Nasarawa-West Senatorial District in the 10th Assembly.

    The letter reads: “The NWC of our great party, the SDP, at its meeting decided to appoint you to lead and coordinate the caucus of all SDP members elected to serve in the national and state assemblies throughout the country.

    “The purpose of this is to bring all elected members of the Social Democratic Party to the common objective of promoting the unity and ideals of the party.

    “The caucus is expected to lead to significant mutual benefits to the party and the assembly members who constitute the prime rank of our great party.”

  • APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ajaka dumps party

    APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ajaka dumps party

    The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Muritala Yakubu Ajaka has resigned from the party.

    The resignation letter is dated 17th April, three days after the Kogi State governorship primary in which he was a frontline contestant, alongside with others.

    His resignation followed weeks of speculations that he had defected to the opposition Social Democratic Party SDP with the promise to field him as its Governorship Candidate for the November 11 election in the state.

    Ajaka thanked the National Working Committee for a healthy working relationship he had with the party.

    Ajaka said, “I write to inform your good self and the National Working Committee of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress of my decision to resign my office as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary and also as member of the NWC.

    “This gesture is a consequential act to the resignation of my membership, a notice of which I have already communicated in writing to the Chairman of APC, Ajaka Ward 1 in Igalamela/Odolu LGA of Kogi State.

    “Kindly permit me to extol the exemplary brinkmanship, astuteness, sagacity and political dexterity with which Your Excellency, being supported by the current National Working Committee has successfully bonded the hitherto fragile fabrics of the Party; firmly enough to record the most eminent victories in the last general elections.

    “Having proudly won the presidential election therefore, I have the utmost faith that the Party, under your able charge, will help the incoming administration to upgrade the standard of governance for the greater good of Nigerians.”

    Although he failed to mention his next destination.

  • Bayelsa Guber: Lawyer Binalayefa Osuluku emerges SDP flagbearer

    Bayelsa Guber: Lawyer Binalayefa Osuluku emerges SDP flagbearer

    Binalayefa Joshua Osuluku a lawyer has emerged as the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) for the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.

    The legal luminary polled 151 votes to defeat his only opponent, Mrs Ebinabo Rebecca Doibo, who scored 111 votes at the primary election held in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Tuesday.

    Announcing the results, the chairman of the electoral committee, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the primary election was keenly contested and a winner emerged with an outcome that is acceptable to all.

    Commenting on the outcome of the primary election, the chairman of the electoral committee, Mohammed Ibrahim, said that it  was keenly contested and a winner emerged with an outcome that is acceptable to all.

    It’s a family affair, the winner elected to carry our flag will be supported by all.”

    In his acceptance speech, Osuluku said he was humbled by the support of the people and promised to work for the victory of the party by unseating the PDP in the governorship election.

  • BREAKING: APC National Chairman, Adamu defeated in senatorial district, loses to SDP candidate

    BREAKING: APC National Chairman, Adamu defeated in senatorial district, loses to SDP candidate

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu has lost his senatorial seat in the Nasarawa western zone to the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Ahmed Wadada in the National Assembly elections held on Saturday.

    Adamu could not deliver the APC candidate, Shehu Tukur to replace him at the red chambers.

    The INEC returning agent for Nasarawa West Senatorial District, Prof Nasiruddeen Baba while declaring the winner at the zonal collation centre in Keffi said the SDP candidate polled 96,488 votes while APC got 47,717 votes, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 46,820 and the Labour Party (LP) 33,228.

    The APC also lost the Keffi/Kokona/Karu seat to the Social Democratic Party with Gaza Gwefwi retaining the seat.

    The SDP polled 60,265 votes, the APC 28,417 votes, LP 29655, and the PDP 33,180 for the house of representatives elections.

    Similarly, the Candidate of the SDP for Nasarawa North Senatorial district, Godiya Akwashiki won the seat and Abubakar Dahiru retained his seat for Lafia/Obi federal constituency.

    The SDP, as declared by the electoral body has two senators out of the three and two members of the House of Representatives.

    The four winners under the SDP are members of the APC who defected due to irregularities in the party’s primary elections last year.

  • 2023 polls: SDP Presidential Candidate defects to APC

    2023 polls: SDP Presidential Candidate defects to APC

    Mrs. Cesnabmihilo Nuhu-Aken’ova, a former Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential Candidate, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    She announced her defection to the APC at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Nuhu-Aken’ova said she was joining the APC to give support to the party and Sen. Bola Tinubu, its presidential flagbearer.

    Nuhu-Aken’ova also the National Co-ordinator, All-inclusive Movement for Ahmed Tinubu, said haven followed Tinubu’s antecedents, she believed he was the right man to be the country’s next president.

    She added that the group was therefore endorsing and giving its support to Tinubu and Sen. Kashim Shettima, his running mate, in the Feb. 25 presidential election.

    “I and my support group are calling on the electorate to endorse and vote for Tinubu to be elected as the county’s next president.

    “We are here because we have found someone who sees what we see and feels how we feel.This is evidenced in the way he reacted to the cash crunch we are currently experiencing.

    “He is no other person than Bola Tinubu, the Jagaban, APC presidential candidate and hopefully the incoming president of the country.

    “We endorse Tinubu because of his exceptional qualities and capabilities. I was a presidential hopeful of the SDP before I exited to join this moving and unstoppable train, the APC,” she said.

    Nuhu-Aken’ova added that Tinubu’s achievements when he served as Lagos State governor as well as his innate ability to build men and utilise resources was there for all to see, adding that Nigeria will be great age under his presidency.

    She said the love of Tinubu, a former two-term governor of Lagos state for the people, especially, the less previlaged, was evidenced in the way he reacted to the cash crunch being experienced by most Nigerians following the Naira re-design.

    According to her, Tinubu had always been on the side of the people and his antecedents as a former Lagos state governor remained unmatched.

    She expressed optimism that Nigerians would sleep in peace and tranquility with their two eyes closed with Tinubu as elected president under the APC.

    Nuhu-Aken’ova added that a Tinubu presidency would ensure the well-being of all and provide an enabling environment for the realisation of the dreams of every Nigerian.

    “The young people would enjoy uninterrupted school calendar, there will be job opportunities and career growth and development.

    “A Nigeria where access to quality and holistic healthcare is not a reserve of the rich and a select few will become a reality with Tinubu as president,” she assured.

    Nuhu-Aken’ova decried the current insecurity in the country, saying with Tinubu on the saddle of leadership, Nigerians would travel freely without fear of falling into the hands of insurgents, among others.

    She said her desire was to see a new Nigeria where mob violence becomes a thing of the past, where environmental protection was cherished and a level playing ground was made possible for all.

  • SDP presidential candidate promises to reduce poverty rate

    SDP presidential candidate promises to reduce poverty rate

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo has promised to reduce the rate of poverty in Nigeria and provide more opportunities for the youths when elected.

    Adebayo, who was represented by his Vice Presidential Candidate, Yusuf Buhari, said this during a visit to Oba Joseph Olubiyi Ajibise Ogo 1 (Ogunsua of Modakeke) of Ile Ife, Osun State.

    In a statement by the Adebayo Presidential Campaign Organisation in Abuja, he said that the SDP was inspired by Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution which states that sovereignty belongs to the people.

    He said that the leadership was therefore set up by the people and its job is to look out for the welfare of the people.

    He said one of the major problems facing the country was poverty all over the place in spite of its abundant blessings of material and human resources.

    Adebayo said that in certain parts of the country, some people have no food to eat to the extent of picking the left over in the dustbins to feed their children.

    “If you go around some areas at night, you’ll see some people sleeping everywhere on the streets, no shelter.

    “If you go to the hospitals, patients are all over on the floor, no bed, only one doctor with thousands of patients.

    “Nigerians do not deserve this. Nigeria is a blessed country. We have resources, we have professionals, If we can put our house together, all of these things we are seeing, we’ll not be seeing them,” he added.

    Adebayo said that the previous administration had failed to improve the welfare of ordinary citizens, adding that the SDP was on the race to make things better for Nigerians.

    “We are here to assure you of all the plans that we have set out, even when we get there we’re going to achieve them. We know it’s going to be difficult but we will achieve them by the grace of God”.

    Adebayo gave the assurance that Nigerian youths would have a lot to benefit from the party because they believe the youth are the ones making great achievements for Nigeria.

    In his remarks, Oba Toriola commended the plan and vision of Adebayo for the country.

    “I must say that I am touched by your plan and your vision, so I pray that God will help you to accomplish your race.”

    The royal father prayed for the SDP presidential candidate and his campaign team.

    The campaign team comprised of National Secretary of SDP, Olu Agunloye; National Vice chairman South West, Mr Silas Alani; Director of Protocol, Chief Godwin Osigbeme; Director of Finance, Sen. Ugochukwu Uba; and Prof. Femi Olufumilade.