2023: Atedo Peterside Joins SDP, Reveals Reason For Action

The founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Atedo Peterside, has joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP) ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Naija News reports that the president of the Anap Foundation made this known in a statement released on his Twitter handle on Wednesday.

Peterside stated that his reasons for joining the SPD were the party manifesto, the quality of the party’s national leadership and how appropriate it is for Nigeria at this time.

He listed other reasons including his adjudged acceptability at the local/ward level of the party, the commitment and willingness of the party leadership to practise internal democracy, the party’s policy on youths’ inclusiveness, and women’s participation.

Peterside also called on Nigerians to be actively involved in politics, stressing that political parties will not improve on account of external pressure alone.

He wrote: “After deep reflection, I decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). It is important for all adults to join a political party of their choice.”

“Some of the main reasons for backing the party are party manifesto – how appropriate is it for Nigeria at this time?; the quality of the party’s national leadership; my own adjudged acceptability at the local/ward level of the party; the commitment and willingness of the party leadership to practise internal democracy; are the party’s doors truly open to Nigerian youths who wish to claim their country back?; are the party’s doors truly open to women leaders, or is it yet another male chauvinist enclave?; and is it a place where I feel truly welcome?”

“I now believe that every adult Nigerian at home or abroad should join a political party. Our political parties will not improve on account of external pressure alone.

“Change must also come from within. It is difficult to improve a Club or Party that you do not belong to. If I believe this, then I also must practise it.”

Peterside said he had actively engaged Nigerian youths in recent months with the sole aim of convincing as many of them to register, pick up their Permanent Voter’s Cards and get ready to vote in the 2023 general elections.

“I am excited at the possibility of many more Nigerian youths getting politically active between now and the 2023 general elections and what that portends for Nigeria,” he added.

After deep reflection, I decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). My main reasons for backing them are listed on flyer below. It is important for all adults to join a political party of their choice. #GetInvolved #2023Elections @anapfoundation pic.twitter.com/bYczswDhHJ

— Atedo Peterside (@AtedoPeterside) May 4, 2022