By Yinka Olopade
Saturday March 29, 2025
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The National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Olu Agunloye, says the party is not open to merging with any political party.
Agunloye made this known in a statement, stressing that the party would resist any hostile takeover attempts by new members.
The SDP has welcomed new members from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Agunloye said while new members may have different motives, they must adhere to the party’s rules and constitution.
“APC and PDP, which have ruled Nigeria since 1999, have not done well.
“It is common knowledge that Nigeria is not where Nigerians expect it to be. Injustice, corruption, ‘money for vote’ elections, and high insecurity have led to economic crisis, massive youth unemployment, and pervasive poverty.
“People are suffering, and many more are getting trapped in poverty by the day. In the face of these challenges, the emergence of SDP as an alternative platform for progress has become compelling.
“This is why all SDP leaders and state chairmen are required to reach out to all people desirous of good governance to join the crusade for sustainable development and not leave this task only to our dynamic and charismatic National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam,” he said.
According to him, SDP is inspired by vision, stimulated by a genuine desire to serve, and is proud to say it relies on ideology, adding that the party is a strong and reliable brand.
Agunloye further said that in managing the influx of contending interests, the party would cautiously avoid the pitfalls that led to the failure of past alliances.
The party’s National Secretary added that the SDP would continue to strengthen its institutions by enhancing membership registration processes, constitutional structures, and party organs and reinforcing all departments and directorates.
* Kaduna SDP
In another development the Kaduna State Chapter of the SDP has disowned former governor Nasir El-Rufai, stating that he is not a recognized member of the party in Kaduna State.
The party stated that the former governor did not follow the normal and correct process to become a member of the party.
Recall that recently, El-Rufai and some members of the APC dumped the party for the SDP.
The former governor cited a growing misalignment between his values and the current direction of the APC as the primary reason for his decision.
El-Rufai, in a press statement released on his X handle, expressed his disappointment with the APC’s leadership, accusing the party of straying from the progressive ideals of its founding members.
At a press conference held in Kaduna on Friday, the party’s Assistant National Secretary, Northwest zone, Idris Inuwa, emphasized that El-Rufai’s entry into the party remained a rumor as he has yet to follow due process.
“It has come to our notice that certain individuals, including Nasir El-Rufai, are being rumored to have joined the SDP. However, neither the Chairman of the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter in Kaduna State nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward has any record of these memberships,” Inuwa said.
Inuwa, therefore, advised El-Rufai and his cohorts to follow proper procedures if they wished to officially become members of the party.
“We advise him and any other interested individuals to follow the proper procedures if they wish to officially become members of the party,” he said.
Inuwa also rejected the purported dissolution of the Kaduna State Working Committee of the SDP, stating that it is unconstitutional and an affront to the principles of due process and internal democracy.
“The Kaduna State Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) categorically rejects the purported dissolution of the State Working Committee as contained in a letter from the National Secretariat dated 25 February 2025,” Inuwa said.
Inuwa emphasized that the Kaduna State Executive Committee is a product of a duly conducted State Congress and holds a four-year mandate that remains valid and binding.
He added that the SDP constitution clearly outlines the process and procedure for dissolving a State Executive Committee, which includes initiating an investigation, setting up a committee, and providing a fair hearing transparently.
“The Kaduna State Executive Committee is the legitimate outcome of a duly conducted State Congress, reflecting the will of the party members and adhering strictly to the party’s constitutional provisions. This body holds a four-year mandate that remains valid, binding, and legally recognized throughout its tenure.
“The SDP constitution states very clearly the process and procedure to follow in dissolving a State Exco; which includes but is limited to initiating an investigation, setting up a committee, and providing a fair hearing transparently before a decision is taken; none of this was done the resort to the illegal unilateral letter of dissolution,” Inuwa said.
Inuwa concluded by emphasizing that the Kaduna State SDP remains open and welcoming to all prospective members who adhere to the established procedures.
“While we recognize the growing interest of individuals and groups in joining the SDP, we emphasize that there are well-defined guidelines and constitutional provisions governing membership admission. The State Executive Council (Exco) remains open and welcoming to all prospective members who adhere to these established procedures,” he added.
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