SDP plots for 2019 general elections

SDP plots for 2019 general elections
November 11, 2015 • By pmnews
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Olu Falae, National Chairman of SDP
The Social Democratic Party, SDP, is to commence its ward congresses across the Nigeria in what the party says is aimed at strengthening it and making it one of the biggest political parties in Nigeria ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Prior to the 2015 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had claimed to be the biggest party both in Nigeria and Africa.
However, with the victory of then opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, the fortunes of the PDP slid.
The SDP emerged about four years ago and it has planned its exercise for Saturday, 14 November, 14, 2015.
The party said the decision to conduct the ward congresses in all the 774 local governments of the federation was taken after the party’s National Executive Council, NEC, in Abuja endorsed the proposal that Chief Olu Falae should continue as the National Chairman of SDP.
Announcing the date for the ward congresses in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, the state chairman of the party, Chief Ademola Ishola, explained that all state executives of the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have adequately been briefed about the exercise.
He said: “actually, we need to adhere strictly to the constitution of our party and so all the SDP chairmen all over the country are expected to fully arrange the smooth conduct of the congresses.
“As it is, Friday, 13 November is slated for fresh registration of old and new members and by Saturday, our members will file out to elect their executives at the ward level.”
He explained that the party’s NEC would announce dates for both the state and the local government congresses soon.
Ishola stated that the SDP is currently out to present itself as the only alternative party in the country.
He added: “we have seen the best of the PDP and we are in the era of APC where the nation’s economy has nosedived.
“SDP is the bride and we are welcoming members everyday into our fold.”
He stressed that his party was really preparing to win the 2018 governorship election in Osun state and then, spring surprises in the 2019 national polls.
“With things being put at the right viewpoint, I am confident that SDP will become the party of the people before the next general election,” he said.
While calling on lovers of democracy to join the SDP, he admonished members of the party particularly from the 3,200 wards in Osun state to turn up in large numbers to participate in the Saturday congress at their various wards.
He added: “SDP was re-registered about four years ago. Today, we have at least two members of our party as members of the House of Representatives and we have a disciplined Nigerian with a clear vision as the National Chairman.
“We are sure of better outing in future polls.”