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Tag: SDP

  • BREAKING: SDP candidate withdraws from House of Assembly race

    BREAKING: SDP candidate withdraws from House of Assembly race

    Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) candidate for Yagba West Constituency in the Kogi House of Assembly, Mr Opeyemi Ajagun, has resigned from the party.

    In a letter dated Jan. 25 and addressed to his Ejiba Ward, Yagba West chairman, Ajagun also notified the SDP leadership of his withdrawal from the House of Assembly election.

    Ajagun, who was the SDP chairmanship candidate in the 2020 Kogi local government elections, said his resignation was for personal reason.

    “I, Ajagun tender my resignation letter as a member of your party, the SDP.

    “I have participated actively as a loyal and dedicated party man, but I resign today, Jan. 25, 2023 based on personal reasons.

    “This letter also serves as a withdrawal from participating in the House of Assembly election slated for March 11.

    “I extend my utmost appreciation to members of the party across the state for the wonderful moments we shared during the time of my membership of the party,’’ Ajagun wrote.

    He sent copies of the letter to the Yagba West, Kogi chapter of the SDP, the party’s state and national secretariats and to INEC.

  • Lagos SDP Chairman, excos dump party, join PDP

    Lagos SDP Chairman, excos dump party, join PDP

    The Lagos State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Miss Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, and some other state executive members have dumped the party and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Adeyinka, leading about 15 other party executives to the main opposition party on Monday, said that the decision was based on personalities with the tickets of the PDP in the state.

    According to her, the group consulted widely before settling for the PDP, having considered the reality on ground.

    She said they also considered some personalities in the party like Ms Funke Akindele, the Lagos PDP Deputy Governorship Candidate.

    ” We are proud of this and find it convincing. We find a lot of attractions in PDP.

    “The likes of Funke Akindele are a role and model for us. She likes us as youths, she is accessible and a young mind, who has impacted the system in Nigeria by creating employment for Nigerian youths.

    “She (Akindele) is doing wonderfully well and she is a sellable youth. She is a voice for the women and a voice for the Nigerian youths.

    “She (Akindele) is motivation even without meeting her in person. We want to join force with an entity like that,” Adeyinka said.

    Adeyinka added that the group was also attracted to PDP because of the likes of Mr Wellington Bankole ( Banky W), the PDP House of Representatives’ candidate for Eti-Osa Federal Constituency.

    “Those are people we want to reckon with because for Nigerian youth to be able to speak and make impact, we have to come together as one force. We need a force to change status quo.

    “We want a Lagos for all not for a few. We want a Lagos that works for everyone. We want to kill the system of godfatherism that puts our lives in danger.

    “We need to find the right direction, we have a torchlight in PDP. Not because it is PDP, but because we have people of like minds like Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran and others there.

    “We were not paid to do this or under pressure., It is high time for Nigerian youth to get involved.

    “We want to be able to elect people into office because they merit it not because the system put them there,” she added.

    Receiving the decampees at the PDP candidate’s Liberty House in Ikeja, Mr Philips Aivoji, the Lagos State PDP Chairman, expressed delight with the defectors and commended them for their courage and conviction.

    “I appreciate your courage. You have come to the right party. I thank you for identifying with our candidate. What I can assure you is that there is no level you cannot aspire to in PDP.

    “We have broken the jinx of godfatherism. Let others rise up and join us and rally round PDP together to rescue Lagos,” Aivoji, who handed the party flag to defectors, said.

    Also speaking, the Lagos PDP Governorship Candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, noted that there was an alignment between his aspirations and those of the defectors.

    He urged them to hit the ground running to rescue the state.

    Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, said that he was committed to bringing a breath of fresh air in the state governance, and making the wealth of the state work for all and not some individuals.

    “This is the way to go. It is about time we did it differently so that we can get different results. We need to combine forces together and confront the status quo,” he said.

    Adediran immediately appointed Adeyinka as one of his campaign spokespersons in the state.

    Some of the excos who decamped along with Adeyinka include Mr Akinbode Oluwamayowa (State Secretary) Mrs Motunrayo, Olajitan, (Chairman, Alimosho LGA) and Mrs Perpetual Kamsi (Organising Secretary).

    Others include Mrs Tolulope Osundeluse (Woman Leader), Mrs Oluwakemi Balogun (Assistant Secretary), Mr Micheal Egberinde (Youth Leader), and Mrs Mariam Oba (Youth Leader Alimosho LGA).

  • SDP deputy governorship candidate defects to APC in C/River

    SDP deputy governorship candidate defects to APC in C/River

    Mr. Daniel Obo, the deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Cross River, has defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Thursday in his hometown, Obubra.

    He was received into the APC by the Chairman of Obubra Urban Ward, Mr. Daniel Okpa, after due registration and collection of party card.

    Speaking, Obo, who is also the Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Cross River Chapter, said he moved to APC because the party “is youth-friendly”.

    According to him, Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has brought leadership and governance closer to the people by appointing more than 80 per cent of youths into his cabinet.

    He also said he was defecting to APC to support the candidates of the party to win their elections.

    “I represent the young people and we need to stand firm for the young people of our dear state. APC in Cross River has been favourable to the young people and their tickets were given to young people.

    “We have realised that our strength is in the APC and that is why we took the decision to join the party and protect the young people.

    “For today, we have the 18 youth council chairmen at the local government level that are moving with me to APC. Also, over nine ward chairmen from SDP have moved with me to APC.

    “We have hundreds of young people who have also decided to join the struggle of protecting their generation.

    “I want to charge youths in Cross River to get their Permanent Voter’s Card and come out massively to vote for all APC candidates in the state,” he said.

    Also, the Speaker of Cross River House of Assembly, Mr. Eteng Jonah-Williams, said that Obo’s defection to APC was timely and well-conceived.

    Similarly, Mr. Peter Odey, the APC deputy governorship candidate in the state, assured Obo of “a seat at the table” if the party won the governorship election in the state.

    Mr. Hilary Bisong, who represents Boki 2 State Constituency in Cross River House of Assembly, described Obo as an asset to the party in the state.

    Bisong, who was the Chairman of the event, said that Obo’s defection to the APC had given the party an edge in winning the elections in his area.

    The lawmaker, who called on other youths in the state to join APC, said that the party was the only platform in the state with youthful candidates seeking election in 2023.

    The defection ceremony was attended by youths, commissioners, lawmakers, and support groups among other stakeholders.

  • 2023 Elections: SDP disowns Alfa Mohammed

    2023 Elections: SDP disowns Alfa Mohammed

    Ahead of the 2023 general elections in the country, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has denied forming an alliance or in any form of collaboration with the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other political party.

    SDP has urged the general public to disregard the false claims flying around in some quarters.

    National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba addressed a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

    Aiyenigba reacted to a claim by Alfa Mohammed that the SDP was considering an alliance with the APC and its Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu.

     

    According to Aiyenigba, Mohammed, ex-Deputy National Publicity, was no longer a member of the party.

    Aiyenigba recalled the leadership had severally disowned comments and publications credited to the former official.

    Mohammed was removed as deputy spokesperson in November 2018 and suspended in March 2019 by the National Working Committee (NWC).

    Aiyenigba said Mohammed was expelled by the National Executive Committee (NEC) in August 2019, a decision upheld at the National Convention in June 2022.

    “Currently, Mohammed is a member of the APC and even a strong member of one of the support groups of that party.

    “There is no way a man who is playing such role in APC could be said to be an official of the SDP”, he noted.

  • 2023: SDP denies alliance with any party

    2023: SDP denies alliance with any party

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has denied a claim that it is in alliance with a political party regarding the forthcoming general polls.

    The party National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, urged members of the public to disregard the “false claim“ saying it was not in the interest of the party or the nation.

    Aiyenigba said that the party’s attention was drawn to a claim by “one Alfa Mohammed’’ that the SDP was considering an alliance with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu.

    He said that Mohammed, a former Deputy National Publicity of the SDP, was no longer a member of the party and could not be speaking for it having been expelled.

    Aiyenigba said that the party had at several times disavowed false publications from Mohammed and his disregard for decorum.

    Those actions, he said, led to Mohammed being relieved of his position as deputy publicity secretary of the party in November 2018 before he was suspended from the party in March 2019 by the National Working Committee (NWC).

    He added that Mohammed was later expelled by the National Executive Committee (NEC) in August 2019 which was upheld by the subsequent National Convention of the party in June 2022.

    “Currently as we speak, Mohammed is a member of the APC and even a strong member of one of the support groups of that party called the South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA).

    “There is no way a man who is playing such role in APC could be said to be an official of the SDP.

    “It is true to his character for Mohammed who has not been part of any activities of the SDP in four years, that is, since early 2019 but has intermittently pushed fabricated lies to mislead and defraud the public.

    “This is with the malicious intent to tarnish the reputation of targeted individuals in the SDP or in other party under the irrational guise that he is a member of an SDP “faction” and no faction exists in SDP.

    Aiyenigba said that Mohammed’s antics was formally reported to the Inspector General of Police in August 2022 and was requested to call him to order over his alleged “impersonation, false pretences and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace”.

    “Mohammed is indeed under watch and investigation for criminal impersonation.

    “While the Police continue with its investigation of the mischief by Mohammed, we call on all members of the SDP nationwide and the public to disregard the reckless publications of Mohammed.

    “They are false and malevolent and above all they are not in the interest of social justice or of our pursuit to combat poverty and insecurity in our country,’’ Aiyenigba said.

    He said that SDP, along with its Presidential Candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, was not in the 2023 elections race for the fun of it, but to win.

    He said that Adebayo had been engaging Nigerians and all critical stakeholders, including the youth on his ambition to win and develop Nigeria.

  • My governance of Rivers will integrate new ways of doing things – Abe

    My governance of Rivers will integrate new ways of doing things – Abe

    Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has said if elected governor, his administration will integrate new ways of doing things in the state.

    Abe revealed this at Okrika while receiving hundreds of decampees from other political parties into the SDP in Okrika Local Government Area of the State.

    The Governorship Candidate said his administration will never impose leaders on the people but will allow communities to choose their leaders, who will in turn guide the government on what to do for the people.

    Abe said: “We have talked to you about freedom, liberty and respect for norms and institutions. We will ensure that, we give you back the rights to choose your leaders. It is the people you choose as leaders that we will deal with.

    “We will not come to your community and impose people on you who don’t have your confidence. No, we will allow you to choose your own leaders so that if something is bad for you, they will also come to you and say no, this thing is not good. My people will not like this. My people do not behave like this. People don’t like this and all that.

    “That’s what leaders and communities are supposed to do for the community, guide the government so that the government will in turn serve the people. We are also going to integrate a new way of doing things in Rivers State.

    “We are totally focused on how people will make money. Everybody needs money, there is no point pretending that it is only big men who need money. Everybody wants to be the biggest man that he can be. There is nobody who wants to be a small person because you are a big person.

    “In a democracy, the first rule that all of us must understand is that we are all equal. That’s what makes it a democracy. If we don’t accept that equality, every action that we take based on the fact that we are important or we are right and others are not important, is not right. It makes no sense of the whole democracy.

    “That’s why in a democracy the governor, the senator, the chairman, the honourable, everybody has one vote and the power of all the votes are equal. Nobody’s vote has more power than that of the other person.”

  • SDP’s presidential candidate promises to address poverty, insecurity

    SDP’s presidential candidate promises to address poverty, insecurity

    Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo said on Tuesday in Kano that he would address insecurity and poverty if elected.

    “I will tackle insecurity to pave way for economic growth and development,’’ he told a news conference.

    He also pledged to create jobs to lift youths out of poverty and deprivation.

    Adebayo promised to support agriculture in Kano State to ensure food sufficiency and food security.

    “We will support farmers, activate dams, provide agricultural input, provide sound and qualitative education and also fight criminality,’’ he said.

    The candidate assured that if Nigerians voted for him and his running mate, Malam Yusuf Buhari, they would tackle the country’s economic challenges.

    Adebayo paid tribute to Kano’s progressive politician, late Malam Aminu Kano, whom he said he followed ardently.

    The presidential candidate said it was disheartening that thriving factories and industries had collapsed in Kano and called on Nigerians to vote for the SDP to avoid remaining in perpetual poverty.

    Adebayo was accompanied to the news conference by his vice-presidential candidate, the party’s governorship candidate in Kano State, Alhaji Bala Gwagwarwa and other party chieftains.

  • 2023: I am going to Senate to serve – SDP candidate

    2023: I am going to Senate to serve – SDP candidate

    Mr Akinyinka Akinnola, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo Central Senatorial District, says he is going to the senate as a public servant, and not to make money.

    Akinnola spoke on Sunday in Akure on his political ambition and the chances of the SDP winning the 2023 general elections.

    The SDP senatorial candidate said that he had been touching People’s lives directly, even as a private individual.

    He explained that he had invested in his community through students’ scholarships and widows’ empowerment.

    According to him, the SDP is made up of people who are not after money but people who are committed to a positive change in the country’s socio-economic status.

    “In the last seven years, I have done a lot of empowerments where I gave 800 scholarships to students in both primary and secondary schools.

    “I have also empowered over 300 widows. I have partnered with the Trauma Centre of the University of Medical Sciences in Ondo, where we treated many people free of charge in life-saving surgical interventions.

    “I have done training for over 100 people in poultry farming and built bridges in rural communities.We have done all this and many more without earning one penny from the government.

    “So, if I can do that for almost seven years, it is chrystal clear that I am not going to the senate for money,” he said.

    Akinnola said that, if elected as a senator in the forthcoming elections, he would facilitate and bring many empowerments to the constituency and the state at large.

    The SDP senatorial candidate, who pointed out that Nigerian politics had moved beyond political structures, said “it is now politics of personality and not politics of parties”.

    He, however, decried the low level of voting in the state, charging the electorate to come out in numbers to cast their votes for real change in the 2023 elections.

    According to him, in the 2019 elections, there was about 1.5 million registered voters in Ondo state while only about 450 people came out to vote and about one  million did not vote because they had lost faith in the system.

    But he expressed hope that more people would participate in the 2023 elections, saying “the electorates now have  interest in the elections because they want a real change”.

    He said that recent happenings in the country had reawakened the consciousness of the people to the fact that the real political powers reside in them.

    “The people are now more enlightened and more determined than ever before to take their destiny in their own hands by using their votes to create a Nigeria of their dreams.

    “It is from this set of new voters that we hope to garner the votes that will bring us to power in the forthcoming general elections.

    “My good people of Ondo State, you are part of change you are looking for and this is the time to change the narrative by coming out to cast your votes and support the real change, which is SDP,” he said.

  • Just In: Again, Court sacks all APC primaries in Rivers

    Just In: Again, Court sacks all APC primaries in Rivers

     

    Again, a repeat of 2019 has re-echoed in Rivers State as Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State nullifies all the primaries conducted by All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state.

    Some Aggrieved APC Members loyal to the Governorship Candidate of SDP, Senator Magnus Abe had approached the Court Challenging the Conduct of Primary with Claims of Exclusion from Delegate primaries conducted in the State.

    One George Orlu and four others, who claimed to have purchased nomination forms, approached the court requesting that the primaries of APC should be nullified following their exclusion.

    The court ruled that the persons were unlawfully excluded from the APC primaries.

    Justice E.A. Obile held that the aggrieved persons were shut out of the primaries unlawfully, describing the process as a nullity.

    He ruled that all those elected from the APC primaries stood nullified and should not be recognised as candidates.

    Meanwhile, the APC which confirmed the judgement on Tuesday, described it as dead on arrival.

    Rivers APC spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, said the Supreme Court had in plethora of cases declared political parties as their own Chief Executive Officers and could regulate their own affairs.

    He said the subject matter, which formed the fulcrum of the judgement was an internal matter describing the court’s decision as a travesty of justice.

  • 2023: I have all it takes to turn around Rivers into a first class state- SDP guber candidate, Abe asserts

    2023: I have all it takes to turn around Rivers into a first class state- SDP guber candidate, Abe asserts

     

    The Gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general elections in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has said he has the ideas, knowledge, political experience, capacity and institutional memory to govern the state if elected.

    Abe stated this while speaking during a teleconference with Rivers people in diaspora from a meeting held in Maryland, United States of America.

    The governorship candidate stated that, there will be fundamental changes in the incoming government and governance of Rivers State as there must be set targets and specific goals to place the state on the pedestal of accelerated development.

    He further stated that if he assumes leadership of the state, Rivers State cannot be a place where anybody can do whatever they want without direction and consequences.

    Abe said public office is about service to the community, and the state and not a reward for friendship, pointing out that the primary purpose of government is to serve the people.

    The Senator said: “We have the experience, capacity, the technical know-how, clear, concrete and implementable ideas to move the state forward. We shall introduce a database and identify every Rivers resident by number. We will use technology to identify everyone and everyone must have a residents number.

    “This number will enable us to plan in every sector, in order to improve the quality of services in education, health, and even in our efforts to train our youths and make them employable.

    “If we can use technology to improve our electoral system, we can equally use it to promote and improve the quality of life for Rivers people.

    The SDP governorship candidate, who commended the organizers of the teleconference led by Mr Charles Nwankwoala, Coordinator of SMA in Diaspora, called on the people to think of Rivers State, no matter their investment in a foreign land”.

    Abe said: “No matter how successful or entrenched you are in a foreign land, or how good life is for you over here, you will still be affected by whatever happens back home.

    “The oil producing status of Rivers State must be made visible in the quality social services available to Rivers people and in the range of opportunities available to the people of the state.

    “If we take our time to commit our resources to develop our people, things will improve, our state cannot lag behind in key indicators of progress, such as employment, out of school children, etc.

    The governorship hopeful emphasized the need to take stock on the direction in which the state is going, maintaining that “if we don’t like the result of what we are getting as a state, there is need for us to do things differently in order for us to get a different result.

    Abe, who stated that the new Electoral Act has changed the landscape of elections in Nigeria said: “This time, it is going to be one man, one vote, while others are running around planning on how to beat the system and manipulate the elections, let us go out and mobilize Rivers people to come out in their numbers to vote and ensure their vote is counted.

    “It is on this foundation offered by the new electoral act that we have launched our campaign based on fairness, equity, peace and justice, as there could be no peace without justice”.

    He appealed to all those who participated in the meeting to join the SMA support group in diaspora, and join hands to sensitize, and mobilize others, as everybody has something to contribute. “We have the experience and the support base, if we work together, we will win.