2023: Confusion In SDP As Party Endorses Peter Obi 2 Days To Presidential Election

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been torn apart following the endorsement of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

On Wednesday, the SDP National Chairman, Chief Supo Shonibare, and National Secretary, Hon. Saleh Dass announced the endorsement of Peter Obi as the party’s candidate on Saturday.

The SDP leaders explained their reasons for endorsing the LP candidate in a communiqué issued at the end of the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held in Abuja.

It reads, “We deliberated on the report of the Senator Ebenezer Ikeyina Committee, investigating the allegation that some of our leaders from Oyo State, issued a statement declaring support for a candidate other than the Labour Party’s Mr. Peter Obi.

“The NWC has accepted and adopted the disciplinary action recommended by the Ikeyina Committee and suspended the leaders involved. Should they object to this decision, they have the right to appeal to the NWC, through the National Secretary of the Party.

“With the presidential elections only a day away, the NWC again considered its position on which candidate best demonstrates an ability to engender a stable polity, as well as provide prudent economic management of our nation’s resources.

“Judicious consideration was given to the contending candidates, especially with regard to which best bears testament to the goal of rotation of the office of the President and the need to continue to encourage inclusivity in the polity.

“Giving consideration to both internal and external factors, and our earlier decision to support an opposition party candidate in the presidential elections, the SDP reaffirms its support for Mr. Peter Obi and Dr. Yusuf Baba-Ahmed Datti in their bid for the Presidency and Vice Presidency respectively.

“The party therefore enjoins its members and all Nigerians desirous of a stable, inclusive and forward-leaning polity to come out en masse to vote for the Labour Party in the Presidential elections scheduled for Saturday, February 25th, 2023.”

SDP National Secretary Denies Peter Obi’s Endorsement

In a statement on Thursday morning, the SDP National Secretary, Olu Agunloye denied endorsing Obi and insisted that the party’s presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, is still in the race.

He said that the party was not in alliance with any political party in the presidential election, directing all its members and supporters to vote for the party’s candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.

Agunloye said Adebayo had been engaging Nigerians and all critical stakeholders, including the youth on his ambition to win and develop Nigeria and will not step down or enter an alliance with any political party or candidate in the election.

The statement reads, “the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam has directed all members of the Party to vote for Prince Adewole Adebayo, the Presidential Candidate of the Party in the presidential election coming up on Saturday, 25 February 2023 and to vote SDP in all the elections.

“This is following the reaffirmation of the SDP National Working Committee (NWC) that the Party, (SDP) is not in any alliance with any political party and the NWC has, therefore, formally directed all its members and supporters throughout the country, and all Nigerians in general, to reach out for their PVCs and vote for Prince Adewole Adebayo, the Party’s presidential candidate and for all SDP senatorial candidates, all SDP Candidates for the House of Representatives at the elections of Saturday, 25 February 2023 as well as vote for SDP Governorship candidates and all State Assembly candidates nationwide on 11 March 2023”

He said “the National Chairman reiterated the position of the National Working Committee that a vote for SDP is a vote to combat poverty and insecurity with all sincerity and vigour based on principles of social justice.

“The SDP NWC stands firmly that Nigeria needs a new path and Nigerians yearn for an alternative platform with fresh ideas to heal the ills of the status quo. We believe the SDP is that natural alternative platform.

“The NWC urges Nigerians to realise the country cannot afford to lead the people who seek liberation back to their oppressors by way of any alliance”

He stressed that the party is not only youths friendly but youths centred and its manifesto is rooted in youth empowerment and women emancipation with a view to usher in peace, progress and prosperity in our country.

The statement added that: “we have made sacrifices and laboured to build the Party, we must stand by the Party and vote for the Party”.

He urged Nigerians to eschew vote buying and vote for justice to choose the leader with an undoubtedly superior manifesto in order to ultimately feel that they have voted for a credible alternative.

This comes barely three days after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) endorsed Peter Obi as its presidential candidate for the 2023 general election