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Tag: SDP

  • 2023: APC receives scores of defectors from PDP, SDP in Oyo

    2023: APC receives scores of defectors from PDP, SDP in Oyo

    Scores of political party members in Oyo State on Saturday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    The defectors were received during a local meeting of the party held at Elekuro High School, Ogbere in Ona-Ara area of the state.

    Newsmen reports that the defectors were received by the APC governorship candidate, Sen. Teslim Folarin and the Oyo Central Senatorial Candidate, Dr. Yunus Akintunde.

    Newsmen also reports that the PDP defectors were led by Mogaji Akinjide, while Elder A Kalejaye led the SDP defectors into the APC.

    Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, the Chairman, National Lottery Commission, welcomed the defectors to the APC on behalf of Folarin.

    Ibikunle assured them of fairness and equity in their new party, promising that they would benefit from every opportunity regarding the welfare of members without sentiments.

    “I welcome you to our great party, APC as new members, and assure you of all rights accrued to the rest of our members.

    “We will ensure that you benefit from every opportunity regarding the welfare of members without sentiments,” he said.

    He charged the new members to aggressively mobilize for the victory of all APC candidates in the 2023 General elections.

    Akinjide, who led the PDP defectors, said they were pleased with the reception accorded them by Folarin.

    Kalejaye, who led the SDP defectors, said the performance of Folarin and his emergence as APC governorship candidate informed their defection.

    He said that the victory of APC in the 2023 general elections would benefit Ona-Ara Local Government Area and the entire state.

    Folarin commended the defectors, saying they made the right decision by joining APC.

    He promised to carry the defectors along in all party affairs and ensure that they benefitted from all available opportunities.

    The governorship candidate urged them to go to their various wards and attend party meetings regularly for updates concerning the party.

    Newsmen reports that Kolawole Waliyu (Ikoko) and Alhaji Amidu Olapade were among other leaders who defected to the APC.

    Folarin was accompanied by Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, Mr Hammed Bodunrin, Mr Remi Sodiq, Mr Waheed Ajibade and Mr Mojeed Delesolu among others.

  • Why SDP deserve to rule Nigeria – Olu Falae

    Why SDP deserve to rule Nigeria – Olu Falae

    The founding Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, on Thursday said that the party deserves to rule Nigeria and has what it takes to win the 2023 general elections.

    Falae stated this at the official inauguration of the party’s new National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.

    He said that when he decided to revive the party, some people thought it was impossible, but today the party had grown in number and strength across the country.

    “SDP is the only party with the right technology, philosophy and manifesto. We deserve to rule Nigeria and by the grace of God we will be there.

    “We have a good Presidential candidate in the person of Adewole Adebayo who has not only demonstrated his knowledge of law but history, anthropology, architecture, and other fields.

    “We need someone with broad mind and education like Adebayo to lead our country.

    “The party may not have a governor today, but I have no doubt that SDP will be in Aso rock and become governors in many state in 2023, “ Falae said.

    He commended the party leadership for its achievements, urging them to continue to bring back those who left the party and new members to work together to win the 2023 general elections.

    Falae decried the rate at which many young men and professionals including doctors were leaving Nigeria to seek greener pastures.

    “If we do not restructure and revive Nigeria, more and more young people will desert the country,” Falae said.

    He said that with Adebayo as SDP presidential candidate, Nigerians have the chance to elect a president that would restructure and chart a new course for the country.

     

  • 2023: Abe is the next Gov of Rivers State – SDP National Chairman

    2023: Abe is the next Gov of Rivers State – SDP National Chairman

    National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Musa Gabam has said the governorship candidate of the party in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Abe will emerge as the next governor of the State in 2023.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Gabam disclosed this when he received Senator Abe, who recently dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and picked SDP gubernatorial ticket, on a courtesy visit on Monday.

    The SDP national chairman said the party believes in making things right, adding that they created the avenue for credible people to serve the nation through the SDP.

    “In SDP, we take our things seriously. Our positions are always for the good of the party and they add value to the country. We have followed the law, we have not gone against INEC rules nor the laws of the country. We are the one that have been setting the good precedent based on the INEC records.

    “By the grace of God, you will be the next Governor of Rivers State. Anyone who has been following the politics of Rivers State and your profile knows that only God determines the fate of a man.

    “The party is not regretting that you come on board, we have built a very strong institution in the country. We know quality people in all the states of the Federation and you are one of them,” Gabam said.

    Speaking during the courtesy visit, the SDP governorship candidate expressed confidence in winning the 2023 election, saying his new party is the fastest-growing political party in the state.

    “I am here today to thank the SDP for the privilege given to me to fly the party flag. The party has several options but in your wisdom, you choose me. I assure you, we will not fail you.

    “The party has lived up to its mandate that improved democratic practices in the country,” Abe said, adding that, “by affording Rivers this opportunity, we want to assure you that we will not disappoint.

    “For political parties, it is the people that own the party. You’ve opened a lot of membership in Rivers State and SDP is the fastest growing political party in Rivers. People are now joining the party in thousands.

    “I want to assure you that we will win the election in Rivers State. The BIVAS machine has opened the opportunity where the governor, driver and the trader only have one vote.

    “We are going to win them. We are in this party to contribute and strengthen the party, bring victory, hope and succour to Nigerians who understand that we must do things differently.

    “Rivers people who have not voted for the SDP before want to do a new thing. Rivers people will vote for the SDP come may 2023,” Abe assured.

  • Magnus Abe emerges SDP governorship candidate in Rivers

    Magnus Abe emerges SDP governorship candidate in Rivers

    Former Rivers South East senator, Magnus Abe, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Rivers State.

    Senator Abe emerged on Saturday after a fresh governorship primaries was conducted in Port Harcourt. The fresh primaries followed the withdrawal of the former SDP candidate Maurice Pronem from the race.

    Abe pulled 30 delegate votes to emerge unopposed in the contest. The exercise was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The latest development comes barely 24 hours after senator Abe officially announced his membership of the SDP.

  • I’m now a member of SDP – Abe declares

    I’m now a member of SDP – Abe declares

    Former representative of Rivers South-East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe has declared that he is a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and very committed to the growth of internal democracy in the politics of Nigeria.

    Abe, in a statement he personally signed and posted on his Facebook page said, such ideals have driven his style of politics over the years.

    The prominent Rivers grassroots politician had left the APC to seek solid political relevance in the SDP.

    The statement reads in parts: “Yes I am and I have been a member of the social Democratic Party SDP.

    “I remain irrevocably committed to the ideals that have driven my politics through the years. And will continue to do all we can to improve internal democracy in the politics of our country and focus on the people”.

  • 2023: SDP presidential candidate urges NANS to represent masses

    2023: SDP presidential candidate urges NANS to represent masses

    The Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has advised Nigerian students to consider the masses, especially the youth when making decisions regarding candidates contesting the 2023 general elections.

    Adebayo gave the advice when he received a delegation of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

    Adebayo, who is the founder of Kaftan TV, said that when elected as President of Nigeria in 2023, he would be on the side of the masses and be committed to addressing challenges facing the country, including the education sector.

    He advised the association not to only speak for students, but to play the role of representatives of the masses.

    “The solution to your problem cannot come unless you have a critical mass that is going to hold the leadership accountable,” he said.

    Adebayo said that Nigeria needed to improve on its education standards and promised that when elected, he would tackle the challenges of funds and other factors resulting in to close down of public universities for months.

    Adebayo said he had a solid policy for education that would be implemented when he became president of Nigeria.

    He said that the issue of funding for universities was not a problem but having a committed leader who would not turn education to looting centre.

    “When I am elected president, I will ensure that government is removed from the Board of Trustees of the Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).

    He promised to ensure that credible Nigerians were selected to serve on the board of trustees outside government control.

    “I will not put a single politician on the government council of any university,” he said.

    Salahudeen Lukman, NANS Director of Policy, Research and Partnerships, said the visit was part of the association’s decision to engage with all serious political party flagbearers ahead of the 2023 general elections on their plans for the youth of the country.

    Lukman, who is also Head, NANs Political Engagement, said that the students who constituted critical percentage of the Nigeria population, had decided to be actively involved in 2023 general elections.

    “It becomes necessity that in every decision that is critical, that determines or dictates our living standards in the next four years, Nigerian students must take a critical decision and take position.

    “This has informed the decision of the NANS national leadership to constitute this very powerful and intelligent team of NANS leaders across the six geopolitical zones of this country.”

    He said that such engagement with candidates on their plans for education and youth employment would form the association’s directive to its members on who to be supported in 2023.

    Lukman said that Nigerian youths were not happy with the current security and economic situation, including the continuous close down of universities for months.

    He said that the close down of public universities for months had made high number of youths as available tools for insecurity affecting the country.

    Lukman, however, advocated for more funding for the education sector and lasting solutions to the current industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

  • Court slams N1m fine against Delta SDP guber candidate

    Court slams N1m fine against Delta SDP guber candidate

    A Delta High Court sitting in Warri has fined Mr Kenneth Gbagi, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the state a sum of One million Naira for allegedly violating the fundamental human rights of Mr Victor Ephraim.

    The presiding judge, Justice Vera Agbodje, gave the order in a judgment on Monday in Warri.

    Mr Kunle Edun, on behalf of the Claimant, (Ephraim) filed lawsuit No. EHC/FHR/80/2020 against Gbagi and his hotel, Signatious Hotel and Suites Limited as Respondents.

    The Claimant, an employee of Gbagi, had alleged that between Sept. 17 and 18, 2020, Gbagi used the Mobile policemen attached to him to forcefully strip him naked and dumped him inside the booth of his car and drove to his community.

    Ephraim said that while under the unlawful custody of the Respondent, he was tortured and dehumanised alongside three other female staff of the hotel.

    He said that the female staff were also stripped naked and paraded publicly on the allegation that they failed to remit money paid by a hotel guest.

    The Claimant also stated that Gbagi collected their ATM cards and transferred all the money in their bank accounts to the hotel’s account.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Agbodje held that the stories presented by Gbagi were false, concocted and not believable.

    The judge noted that Gbagi took laws into his own hands by torturing his ex-staff and consequently awarded the sum of One million Naira against him and his hotel in favour of Ephraim.

    Responding to the judgment, Gbagi in a statement, said the judgment was a ploy by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa’s led government to demarket him.

    “As a law-abiding citizen, the expenditure of Okowa’s government to demarket me is a fruitless venture, a waste of time and resources.

    “We have entered an appeal to set aside the “paid junk judgment” for a competent Court and the National Judicial Council to do justice to the procedure.

    “I urge my teeming growing supporters to ignore this Okowa’s paid judgment. You can not demarket what God has marketed,” Gbagi said.

  • Oni begins legal battle to challenge Ekiti governorship election

    Oni begins legal battle to challenge Ekiti governorship election

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP)  governorship candidate in the  June 18 gubernatorial election held  in Ekiti State, Engr. Segun Oni has begun legal battle to challenge the victory of Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

    Recall that Oyebanji was declared winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) he polled 187,057 votes against  against  second placed Segun Oni who polled  82,209 votes.

    Immediately results started trickling in, Oni accused the APC of vote buying before and during the  June Governorship election in the state.

    Meanwhile international observers had adjudged the Ekiti governorship election as peaceful, credible, free and fair.

    However, Oni, while fielding reporters’ questions shortly after filing the suit on Thursday evening at the High Court premises in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital said: “I’m here to submit my petition in accordance with law and we are doing this to defend the sanctity of the system. I challenging the election result because I believe that I won.“

    Adewale said his client also believed that the person so declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) did not win the election.

  • Nigeria’s next President must come from South – Ex Education Minister

    For equity to be better entrenched in Nigeria’s federation, a former minister of state for education, Kenneth Gbagi has insisted that the next president must come from the southern part of the country.

    He made the declaration while addressing journalists at his Oginibo country home in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta on Monday.

    The former minister who is also the Delta State Governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) emphaised that this is in line with a recent resolution of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum led by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.

    Related story: Among Delta guber gladiators, I’m their senior; Kenneth Gbagi

    He stressed that the unwritten constitution of North-South power rotation which has been in existence in Nigeria for the past few decades is the most equitable thing that could guarantee enduring peaceful coexistence among the various ethno-religious nationalities in the country.

    “What I am saying now is that I am a Southerner. I support and ask all Southerners, all religious organisations, teachers, pensioners and everybody that has true understanding of life, to support the North-South rotational issue.

    “If you do not support the shift from the North to the South, your children will die slaves; your children children will die as slaves. We cannot afford this.

    “We all own this country. We believe in this country. I don’t hate any Northerner. After all, you can see people from different parts of the country – North, South, East, West – that I have been associating with.

    “It is on record that we resolved that the North should do one term and Presidency should come back to the South. Fortunately for me, I am from the South. I will support a Presidential candidate from the South. So, let us not waste time, I don’t know how to pretend.

    “As at today, there are three Presidential candidates from the South of Nigeria. There is Niyi Adebayo who is from Ekiti State and a young lawyer of the Social Democratic Party; also Peter Obi of Labour Party and you also have Bola Tinubu of All Progressives Congress.

    “If you people want this country to go foward, you have the three of them to play with. But my choice, and if you are my friend, is to vote for SDP.

    “We agreed publicly that once North, once South. Anyone who does anything to thwart that effort to bring governance to the South of Nigeria is only working for parochial interest. I don’t care anywhere in the South. We must bring President to South for the next eight years after President Buhari.

    “Thereafter, we will take governance back to North for another eight years. That is the most equitable thing I will support, as a lawyer. Anything to the contrary is dead on arrival. Nobody will support that.”

    Speaking on his governorship aspiration in Delta State, Gbagi promised that he would win the election in a free and fair atmosphere just as he promised to turn around Delta State if he emerged the next Governor of the State.

    “Delta is the richest State in Africa, richer than 34 countries in the world. I believe that with all that is available here, I will turn Delta State to glory,” he stated.

    TheNewsGuru reports that as the 2023 election draw near, various political blocs are advocating and justifying why power should rotate towards them.

    The PDP believes its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a northerner, is best suited for the post in view of his wealth of experience having served twice as Vice President between 1999 and 2007 while the ruling party and their supporters believe that Bola Tinubu, their candidate, is also suitable.

  • Among Delta guber gladiators, I’m their senior – Kenneth Gbagi

    Among Delta guber gladiators, I’m their senior – Kenneth Gbagi

    Chief Kenneth Gbagi, governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Delta State has said among the gladiators wanting to be governor in the State, he is their senior brother in the profession of politics.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Gbagi, who is a former Minister of State for Education, said this on Sunday at a media briefing in his hometown in Oginibo Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the State.

    Gbagi, a former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta, owned up that this was his first time to appear on the ballot papers to seek for elective position, assuring that he would win the 2023 election.

    He said that his decision to leave the PDP was not to divide votes as being insinuated in some quarters.

    “I want to be on the ballot papers and let God decide my faith at the poll. I am running on the ticket of SDP and for your information, this is the first time in my life I will be running for an election in any political party.

    “I am a competent man and that is why I wanted to prove my competency at the ballot. Among the gladiators wanting to be governor in Delta, I am their senior brother in the profession of politics.

    “I am the only one who has served Nigeria at the cabinet level of the Federal Government,” he said.

    Gbagi called on Nigerians to support any presidential candidate from the Southern part of the country in the 2023 general elections.

    “I will support any presidential candidate from the South. I do not know how to pretend. I urged Nigerians to support the shift of government from the North to South based on the principle of equity.

    “We believe in one Nigeria and I do not hate the North. Anything that will scuttle the shift of governance to the South for eight years and back to the North for eight years is unacceptable,” he said.

    On the structure of SDP in Delta, Gbagi said that the 2023 general elections would not be based on structures, adding that the electorate would vote for leaders that would guarantee the future of their children.

    The candidate said he would work with the youth, pensioners and others that meant well for the state.

    Gbagi assured the people that when voted as governor, he would revive the ailing industries in the state to generate employment and increase the revenue base of the state.

    According to him, other areas of focus would be education, health, and pensioners, among others.