SDP declares independence, rejects merger with oppressors

By Adamu Aliyu Aliyu/ABUJA//

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the last election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has declared that the party’s commitment to its core values and mission remains strong, stating that they are a strong and independent party that cannot be swayed by external influences.

Adebayo was speaking against the backdrop of the recent transition of the former governor of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, to the party and the factional governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State in the last general election, Otunba Jimi Lawal’s alleged claim that he paid for a 30,000-member party card registration in the state.

“Anybody who wants to join the SDP is welcome, but you must learn our creed. We are not just for justice but for progress. As white as the horse is, so is our heart. We want the Nigerian people to regain what Abiola promised.

“Abiola promised a fairway to poverty; he sacrificed his life for it, and people believe that Abiola meant what he said. Because if a person says, ‘I have come to rescue you from poverty,’ and they wanted to stop him, and he used his own life to commit to that, people believe that, yes. So, anybody who wants to come to SDP now must first ask himself, ‘Can you make the sacrifice made?’ If you can’t, don’t bother to come,” he said.

The former presidential candidate, who spoke on Sunnday during an engagement with party members, reaffirmed that the SDP is a party of intellect with a clear vision for Nigeria’s future, noting that the party has been consistent in its stance since its inception in 1989, advocating for justice, progress, and the welfare of the Nigerian people.

Speaking on a possible merger with other political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, Adebayo made it clear that the SDP will not compromise its values by merging with parties that do not share its commitment to the people.

“We cannot be on the side of the poor and on the side of big men at the same time,” he stated.

He also expressed his desire to continue leading the party in the future but left the decision to divine providence.

“Our mission is clear. We are not in government with them. I led the party in the last election. I’m still standing here. I’m not a minister under Tinubu or under APC anywhere; all the state chairmen and the national chairman are intact, including national secretaries. So, we are standing on our own, without a problem with anybody. The reason why people look at us is that we don’t attack people to tackle issues. After all, our party is a party of intellect,” he said.

“We are the only party that’s a little to the left. We have been a little to the left since we came in 1989, and we remain so. The problems of Nigeria can only be solved with solutions on the left, which is that Chapter Two of the Constitution—investing money in education, housing, health, and good infrastructure—lets Nigerians live what I will call a more abundant life. That’s all. That’s why they don’t go to life.

“Whether your name is big or your name is small, let your heart be pure. Come to the party. Make sure that you understand that other political parties have failed, and the things that made them fail are dishonesty, fraud, unseriousness, unaccountability, and lack of justice. You cannot bring all those things here. Whether you are big in your house or small where you come from, we don’t care. We are about big ideas, not about you.”

Reacting to the development, the party’s chairman in Ogun State, Aina Williams, declared that counterfeiting of party cards will not work in Ogun SDP.

He described the coming of Otunba Jimi Lawal as an attempt to exert undue influence on the party, alleging that his actions revealed his intention to hijack the party structure, which cannot be allowed.

He posited that Lawal’s interest in joining the party is welcome but insisted that he must follow the proper procedures and adhere to the ethical conduct of the SDP.

He condemned Lawal’s attempt to purchase party structures and instruments without following the proper channels, which involve going through the state party, state executive, local government executive, and other relevant authorities.