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SDP: NWC members embroiled in major crisis after El-Rufai’s entrant

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1 month ago

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The recent appointment of three new members into the National Working Committee, NWC, of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has thrown the party into crisis.

Thus, disrobing the party of its self acclaimed adulation as the only opposition party that is crisis free.

The party’s national publicity secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, had in a statement last week, announced that three vacant positions of the Deputy National Chairman (South), Deputy National Chairman (North) and National Financial Secretary, had been filled. The trio of Senator Ugochukwu Ubah, Alhaji Shehu Musa and Bello Ado Hussain were appointed to fill the three vacant positions.

This was seen in some quarters, particularly among close watchers of political developments, as a strategic move to consolidate the party and prepare it for victory ahead of the 2027 general election.

But little did it occur to many that the move would stir the hornet’s nest of crisis that has been waiting in the wings to envelope the party like its counterpart opposition parties.

Aiyenigba, in the statement had noted that the NWC in line with Article 12.5 of the party’s 2022 constitution as amended and following the mandate given to it by the National Convention of the party, filled the vacant positions during a meeting presided over by the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam.

However, a few days after the appointment, there appears to be a crack in the party over the information as the national chairman, Gabam, who presided over the meeting, where the appointments were made issued a statement denying that such a thing ever happened.

Gabam made the rebuttal while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday.

Represented by the party’s deputy national secretary, Muhammad Biu, he said: “The attention of the national leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been drawn to a number of misleading media reports, claiming that three new appointments have been made into the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

“The positions in question are deputy national chairman (North), deputy national chairman (South), and national financial secretary.

“These reports attributed to the SDP’s national publicity secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, alleged that Senator Uba, Dr Abubakar, and Mr Bello had been appointed to the aforementioned roles respectively.

“We wish to categorically state that no such appointments have been made and that the statement in circulation is false, unauthorized, and does not reflect the decisions or procedures of the SDP’s NWC.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the SDP’s NWC has not convened any constitutional session or meeting to fill vacant positions within the committee as reported.

“The National Executive remains committed to due process, internal democracy and the inclusive participation of stakeholders from all geopolitical zones in any future restructuring efforts.

“As the 2027 general elections approach, we are not unaware of the calculated attempts by certain individuals and political rivals to sow discord and weaken the only credible opposition party left standing in Nigeria.

“We urge all Nigerians to disregard the unauthorised reports and remain confident in the integrity and cohesion of the SDP’s leadership.

The alleged meeting of Thursday, May 15, 2025, cited in the reports, did not authorise any appointments, and no resolution of such nature was adopted.

However, as the national publicity secretary and the national chairman dish out conflicting information, the party’s national secretary, Olu Agunloye has equally issued a statement to straighten out the fact.

He said the party’s NWC comprises 12 members, emphasizing that 11 out of the 12 members attended the NWC meeting, where the decision to fill the three vacant positions was taken. He also informed that out of the 11 members that were present, eight voted in favour of the three appointments, leaving three members, including Gabam in opposition.

He alleged that Gabam and two other members of the NWC who lost out, in cahoots with the former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who recently defected to the party from the All Progressives Congress, APC, were the brains behind the current crisis rocking the party.

He alleged that Gabam and two other NWC members, as well as El-Rufail, want to lord their selfish interest over and above the eight other NWC members who voted in favour of the appointment, noting that since their wishes did not prevail, they decided to cause chaos in the party.

He said: “There were 12 NWC members in total but one was absent. Eight out of 11 NWC members present at the meeting voted in favour of the appointments. Gabam and two others who lost out are throwing tantrums together with Nasir El-rufai who amounts to nothing at his ward.”

In his capacity as the national secretary of the party, Agunloye has equally written a letter to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the appointment of new members into the party’s NWC.

The letter dated May 16, read: “This is to officially inform your office that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party met at the National Secretariat on Thursday, May 15, in a session attended by 11 out of the 12 existing members to appoint the remaining three members of the 15-member National Working Committee as per Article 12.5 of the 2022 Constitution of the SDP as amended and as per the mandate of the June 8, 2022, National Convention.

“The INEC Chairman is hereby formally informed that the National Working Committee has appointed three persons into the NWC as per the provisions of the SDP Constitution as listed below: Senator Ugochukwu Uba, Deputy National Chairman (South); Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar, Deputy National Chairman (North); and Mr. Hussani Ado Bello, National Financial Secretary. “Consequently, these appointments are for an initial period of four years or till the next National Convention, whichever comes first and is subject to satisfactory performance.”

As it stands, the development is about to place the party in the mold of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  and the Labour Party, LP, that have been in crisis since after the 2023 general elections.

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Politics

ADA: Kenneth Okonkwo reveals how new party will produce presidential candidate

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23 hours ago

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June 23, 2025

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Kenneth Okonkwo

Okonkwo, who was the spokesperson for the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, said that interested aspirants from every region would be allowed to express their democratic and constitutional rights.

The lawyer stated this during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday Politics, adding that no one would be stopped from contesting for the ticket of the coalition.

“I have said it clearly, nobody is going to stop anybody from contesting for the presidential ticket in the coalition, nobody,” he said.

“Politicians have shown that it is very difficult to trust them even when the person promises one term. So, if somebody has taken a term from the South and it is in the middle of the game and the person is not performing like Tinubu, you are going to get into a problem.

“If you get another Southerner, he is going to stay there for eight years.

“The North will say no, this is injustice. Nobody will allow Tinubu to continue because he is not performing.

“So, the best is to throw it open. When the best comes in, every other person will support him and the person will promise to do four years.”

The news came out late last week that the national coalition group has decided to run with a new political party called the All Democratic Party, ADA, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The coalition has the likes of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, former Senate President, David Mark, among other heavy weight politicians in the country.

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Edo Assembly reverses decision on entitlements for immediate past deputy speaker

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1 day ago

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June 22, 2025

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The Edo State House of Assembly has reversed its earlier resolution which mandated Hon. Maria Edeko to continuously benefit from the entitlements due to the office of the Deputy Speaker of the House.

DAILY POST reports that the House’s decision came one month after the lawmakers passed the resolution during her formal resignation from the position of Deputy Speaker.

Maria Edeko, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lawmaker representing Esan North-East II, formally resigned from her position on May 19, 2025, following the attainment of majority status in the House due to the defection of the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and several others to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

In the resolution, Hon. Edeko was to continuously enjoy all the benefits accruing to her former office, such as salary, allowances, vehicles, among others.

However, the Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, at a plenary sitting on Wednesday, one month later, announced the decision to reverse the House’s resolution.

“On that very day of Rt-Hon Maria Edeko’s resignation, there was a document before me that stated that all the entitlements accrued to her as the former deputy speaker should be restored.

“Please, there is now a correction on that, that it is not all the entitlements, just a vehicle alone. Please, that should be corrected”, he said.

DAILY POST recalls that in what appeared to be a “valedictory session”, the lawmakers had unanimously adopted a resolution to accord her all the entitlements accruing to her former office.

The motion was moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Jonathan Aigbokhan, APC, Esan West constituency, and supported by the Minority Leader, Hon. Charity Airobarueghian Ighodalo, Ovia North-East I constituency.

Aigbokhan said the resolution was in appreciation of her contributions and innovation to legislation in the state.

The lawmakers, in their separate contributions, showered accolades on the immediate past Deputy Speaker.

They praised her unwavering dedication, passion for public service, and the high level of integrity she consistently demonstrated throughout her tenure.

They also described her as a committed leader whose contributions left a lasting impact on the legislative process during her time as Deputy Speaker.

The Speaker said the House would be pleading with the former Deputy Speaker to continue to remain at the forefront of discourse and at the forefront of everything that the lawmakers will be doing at the House.

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ADC Owerri Municipal Holds Momentous Meeting in Imo State, Signals Strong United Front and Convergence of Coalition for 2027 Elections

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2 days ago

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June 22, 2025

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Owerri, Imo State – African Democratic Congress (ADC) held a highly successful meeting at Oha Owere Hall on Sunday, June 22, 2025. The gathering brought together party faithfuls and coalition partners, marking a significant step towards a strong united front and convergence of coalition for the 2027 elections.

The meeting which was held at Oha Owere Hall was a resounding success, with attendees collectively agreeing to put aside differences and strive for greater inclusion and participation. Inspiring keynote addresses were delivered, boosting the morale of the party faithfuls.

ADC Chairman Owerri Municipal , Hon. Success Opara, delivered an impactful speech, reminding party members that the odds are in their favor and urging them to seize the opportunity for a better Imo State. He promised an inclusive leadership style and warned against inactive ward leaders who want to benefit without contributing.

Despite the rainy weather, the meeting saw a significant turnout of members and party faithfuls from across party lines. The ADC’s Orange Revolution has taken root in Nigeria, and Imo State is proudly part of this movement.

The meeting’s success signals a strong foundation for the party’s future endeavors, and the ADC is poised to make a significant impact in the 2027 elections.

 

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