Breaking: SDP disowns anti-Tinubu coalition, warns of plot to hijack party structure

The National Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), led by Chief (Engr.) Wole Adesina, has distanced the party from any coalition seeking to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He described such moves as desperate and lacking in national vision.

In a press statement issued on Monday and signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alfa Mohammed, the SDP expressed alarm over what it called “the influx of some aggrieved politicians in desperate coalition to ‘send President Bola Ahmed Tinubu back to Lagos’ without showcasing any clear-cut alternative agenda for Nigeria’s transformation.”

The party also raised concerns about what it termed the “ongoing illegal replacement of legally constituted SDP executives in various states by the coalition group, in conspiracy with a faction of the party.”

Drawing on historical precedent, the statement recalled a similar incident in 2019 involving the defection of former PDP members, including Prof. Jerry Gana. “The betrayal of the SDP leadership led to the unceremonious resignation of the then National Chairman of the party, Oba Olu Falae,” it stated, adding that this episode “plunged the party into a leadership tussle which culminated in the ongoing legal fireworks.”

According to the SDP, the current Adesina-led executive is the legitimate continuation of the Falae leadership. In contrast, the faction led by Shehu Gabam is accused of relying on a “wrongly procured INEC recognition that has remained a subject of litigation since 2019.”

The party made it clear that it would not be used as a political tool. “The SDP National Executive Committee unequivocally states that the party is not for sale or lease to any group,” the statement read. “We will not be part of any anti-government plots or coalition that lacks a clear alternative agenda for Nigeria’s transformation.”

While expressing its readiness to hold the government accountable through constructive engagement, the party rejected alliances formed out of personal ambition. “We will not join any self-centered coalition aimed at derailing the government of the day and denying Nigerians the benefits of their voting in the 2023 presidential election,” Mohammed said.

The party also issued a call to its members and supporters: “We call on SDP leaders at all levels to resist any attempt to usurp their leadership and report such actions to the appropriate authorities.”

Mohammed concluded by urging calm among party faithful while efforts are being intensified “to return INEC recognition to the authentic National Executive Committee elected by them.”