By Abbas Jimoh
ABUJA: The National Working Committee NWC of the Social Democratic Party SDP led by its factional National Chairman, Comrade Adamu Abubakar Modibbo has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to maintain professionalism in its conduct and relationship with political parties and other democratic stakeholders.
Modibbo at a press conference in Abuja, said the call became imperative following the just concluded bye-elections in 12 states where the party noticed strange behaviours that pose danger to the growth and stability of internal democracy in Nigerian political parties, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the briefing attended by the National Publicity Secretary, Ambassador Judith Shuaibu and other NWC members, Modibbo vowed that Nigerians should watch out for the SDP and see how it will perform in 2027.
He also urged all security agencies to respect the rule of law and refrain from interfering in the party’s internal affairs since their primary duty is to protect lives and property, not to embrace obvious bias with ethnic undertones.
Asked why they are not using the National Secretariat of the Party to carry out their activities, the Chairman said that the office is not habitable and not safe for its members as some members of other faction of the NWC have chased them away, using the police.
On whether his election as Chairman and other members of NWC were observed by INEC, Modibbo explained that the electoral umpire was written and that the Constitution of the party, that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act were strictly adhered to.
“Fellow party members and Nigerians, I stand before you today to express my deepest appreciation to our courageous candidates who represented the Social Democratic Party in the recently concluded by-elections. Despite the numerous challenges faced, including vote-buying, intimidation and delays, they remained steadfast and committed to our party’s ideals.
“I want to commend their resilience and grassroots mobilization, which proved to be the backbone of our campaign. They are indeed the heroes of democracy and their sacrifices will not be forgotten.
“I am compelled to address a matter of grave concern. Some unscrupulous elements posing under disguise of leadership, desperately seeking relevance using the SDP as though a tool, persistently display questionable actions thereby constituting nuisance to the society and our great Party.
“We want to make it categorically clear to the public that Dr Olu Agunloye and his cohorts, including impostors such as Prof. Sadiq Umar Gombe, attempting to parade few unconstitutional National and State executives, should not be taken with any iota of seriousness. Their behaviours and conduct are unacceptable and should not be regarded.
“We condemn bids for illegal meetings and deliberate attempts to persecute party officials and members using the Nigerian Police Force in the strongest possible terms and urge our members and the general public to be cautious of these impostors.
“We call on all security agencies to respect the Rule of Law and refrain from interfering in our Party’s internal affairs. Their primary duty is to protect lives and property, not to embrace obvious bias with ethnic undertones.
“Additionally, we encourage the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to maintain professionalism in her conduct, as we have been noticing strange behaviours that pose danger to the growth and stability of internal democracy in Nigerian Political Parties,” he said.
It would be recalled that the crisis rocking the SDP took a new twist in July as the Alhaji Shehu Gabam and Dr. Sadiq Abubakar led factions were dissolved to pave way for a new NWC led by Modibbo.
The new NWC leadership emerged during the emergency National Executive Committee NEC meeting where 23 state chairmen including the Federal Capital Territory FCT were in attendance.
Alhaji Gabam was replaced by Dr. Sadiq Abubakar in an acting capacity, before Comrade Modibo was eventually elected.
The National Secretary of the party, Dr Olu Agunloye who is with the Abubakar faction described the NEC meeting as illegal and irregular.
