…Party Announces Preparation for Convention, Primaries
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has declared that there is no court order restraining its National Working Committee (NWC) led by its National Chairman, Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The party stated this in reaction to the allegation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) uploading the SDP factional National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, on its portal.
Addressing journalists at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, Gombe said the SDP remains united, focused, and fully prepared to contest and win elective positions across the country.
He disclosed that the party had already rolled out a comprehensive timetable of activities leading to its national convention scheduled for May. According to him, the process will include ward, local government, state, and zonal congresses.
Gombe noted that interest in the party has continued to grow, with members already indicating willingness to contest for positions ranging from state assemblies to the presidency.
“We are not distracted by internal disagreements or external pressures. All matters relating to our party remain within our constitutional framework,” he said.
The chairman also referenced a recent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which he described as successful and widely attended by party leaders, adding that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the proceedings.
On concerns over names appearing on the INEC portal, the party’s National Secretary, Olusegun Agunloye, dismissed any controversy, insisting that the electoral body has no constitutional authority to determine party leadership.
He explained that the current leadership emerged through constitutional succession following the suspension of a former chairman over alleged misconduct, stressing that any discrepancies on INEC’s platform were merely administrative issues.
Agunloye maintained that the SDP remains peaceful, disciplined, and firmly in control of its internal affairs, adding that ongoing efforts to reposition the party should not be misconstrued as a crisis.
Also speaking, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, said all issues within the party had been resolved, assuring members that there was no cause for concern.
“No incident or action will destabilise the SDP. We remain united and focused,” he said.
In his remarks, a former Minister of Information and SDP chieftain, Labaran Maku, expressed confidence in the party’s leadership and its readiness for the 2027 elections.
Maku commended the party’s internal organisation and growing national appeal, citing its performance in Nasarawa State during the last general elections as evidence of its rising influence.
According to him, the SDP in the 2023 general elections secured two senatorial seats, two House of Representatives seats, and four seats in the State House of Assembly in the state, demonstrating its expanding grassroots support.
He urged party leaders to sustain the momentum and continue building a strong political platform capable of delivering electoral success.
The party leadership reaffirmed its commitment to due process, constitutional order, and the provisions of the Electoral Act, insisting that the SDP will not be distracted from its goal of providing credible leadership and winning elections in 2027.
