By Jude Opara, Abuja

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused some members of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of perfecting plots to sabotage its activities.

Acting National Chairman of the party, Chief Supo Shonibare, told a news conference on Friday that the some people who sought and were accepted into the SDP later plotted to hijack the party by attempting to install a leadership of their choice.

Shonibare who gave a historical background of the crisis that rocked the party said in 2018, certain members of the PDP led by Professor Jerry Gana applied to join the SDP, but later wanted to change the leadership that had earlier existed.

Having been elected at the Party’s National Convention in 2016 (and at various state congresses), the tenure of these officers had not expired. Although the newcomers tried to upstage the elected officers, it was clear that this was unachievable except by acquiescence or by a willful surrender.“Following the attempt of the newcomers to appoint a parallel executive, there has been a protracted lawsuit in which the party and its existing elected officers sued the newcomers’ faction led by Professor Tunde Adeniran, although it is now said that his position has been taken over by either Dr. Olu Agunloye or Alh. Shehu Gabam. None of them has ever been elected to any position in the SDP. bearing in mind the election guidelines rolled out by INEC.

“Following the intervention of several well-meaning nationalist leaders, we offered to joint process the screening of aspirants for the party’s primaries. Unfortunately the matter has dragged on in court even as there is widespread anxiety because of INEC!s political timetable for the 2023 elections”.

The Chairman added that as the founding leaders of the party before the 2018 influx of the newcomers they were mindful of our party’s underlying objective, namely to establish it as a popular party for good governance.

“That awareness meant that we had the insight to seek to separate the contentious issue of the legitimate leadership of the Social Democratic Party and of its registered Constitution, from the issue of the candidates of the party. That is because we hold the view that candidates ought not to be put in jeopardy as a consequence of parallel processes.

“But the interlopers have shunned all entreaties to protect the interests of the party’s candidates. This is due to the fact that they have been buoyed by the open partisanship of certain officers of INEC”.He added; “It should be noted that this meddlesomeness of INEC is in total disregard of an order of the Federal High Court and of course its own undertaking to the Court to remain neutral between the parties. We will continue to do our best and do all that is needful to ensure that no SDP candidate is put into jeopardy.

“However, all SDP candidates need to be aware, as INEC itself knows full well, that there is a pending action to determine both the legitimate national and state leadership and the primacy of the constitution of the Party.

This determination is crucial for identifying the legitimate standing of the party and as well as its processes. As the matter is sub-judice, I do not intend to go into further details of the action which has been before the Federal High Court here in Abuja, since December 2019 (and is currently fixed for hearing on the 30th and 31st of this month)”. Shonibare further revealed that the party has informed INEC that the SDP will be holding its meetings as follows: Ward and Local Government Congresses on the 19th of May 2022; State Congresses on the 20th of May 2022 and National Convention on the 28th-30th May 2022.

He equally stated that the constitution and manifesto of the party reflect it’s social political leaning which includes, firm believe in the restructuring of Nigeria, and the socio-political processes that would allow for the devolution of powers to the federating units of the country as contained in the country’s Independence and Republican Constitutions of 1960 and 1963 respectively.

According to him, the party is confident that its flag bearers both for the legislative and the executive positions must be dedicated to using the various constitutional conferences’ proposals for devolution as their major political objective in seeking political office. “We shall resist the machinations of these burgeoning usurpers. We enjoin all Nigerians to join the SDP.

In this resolve we particularly enjoin the youth, the professional classes, trade associations and our beleaguered student population to enlist en-masse to free our country from the shackles of rudderless and incompetent government”, he concluded.