SDP Speaks On Backing APC’s Tinubu, PDP’s Makinde

The national leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has denied collapsing its structure into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State.

Naija News reports that a faction of the SDP led by Alfa Mohammed is billed to announce the adoption of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, as its presidential candidate this week.

Mohammed, who is the National Publicity Secretary of the faction, told The PUNCH, “Yes, we have made up our mind: it is Asiwaju. In fact, barring any logistical constraint, we will adopt Asiwaju in the next few days. We will call a press conference to do that. The only problem we have is about logistics. Note that we are doing it voluntarily.

“We love Asiwaju. We believe that the man will move Nigeria forward. If he enters there (presidency), generally it will benefit all. So, that is the best person. As I am talking to you, we have been communicating with the 36 state chapters of the party.”

But in a statement on Sunday, the SDP National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, described the report as false and mischievous.

He dismissed the claims that it was planning to support Bola Tinubu, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde.

According to him, the former Minister of Power and Steel, Kola Balogun, who had announced the purported collapse of structures, does not have the authority to speak for the party.

He stressed that the party suspended him in August 2018 and later expelled him in February 2019.

Agunloye noted that Balogun was suspended in 2018 for leaking party documents to the PDP, while he was acting state chairman of the SDP in Oyo ahead of the 2019 governorship election.

He said: “Everything in the story about the structure collapse is false and misleading. Except the name of Makinde and the spelling of Oyo, all other things in the story should be disregarded.

“Oyo SDP is not interested in the Makinde-Balogun voyage. We only want the unsuspecting public to know that we are not in any talks with Makinde, as we are solidly behind the SDP governorship candidate, Michael Lana, who is doing very well and is much loved by the people of Oyo.

“We urge our members and supporters to be watchful, resolute, and determined for victories in 2023 as the SDP remains united and committed to social justice.”