The former Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Donald Duke has reacted to his removal as the party’s flag bearer by telling his supporters to remain calm while he appeals to the court.
Yesterday, Friday, December 14, 2018, a Federal High Court in Abuja, declared Prof. Jerry Gana, a former Nigerian Minister of Information, as the presidential candidate of the SDP, and ordered Duke to stop parading himself as the party’s flag bearer for the 2019 elections. Read the report HERE.
Reacting to the development, Duke told Newsmen in Lagos:
“While we await a copy of the judgement for a detailed review, it is imperative we reiterate our constitutionally backed belief.
”Every Nigerian who meets the legal requirement is entitled to contest for the office of the President.”
“ Any Law that seeks to curtail or subvert that right under any guise is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect.
“The delegates of our great party at its Convention in October, overwhelmingly elected me as their presidential Flag-bearer
“Any attempt to subvert their wishes through the instrumentality of the courts will be challenged.
“As a Law abiding citizen, I urge my supporters and members to remain calm as we are confident that the decision of the Court will be upturned on appeal.
“We are optimistic that the Appellate Court will reach a decision that reinforces the essential tenets of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He said his optimism was in line with the wishes of members of the Social Democratic Party.
