2027: SDP won’t be subjected to merger rules – National secretary

The Social Democratic Party on Monday said that it will not engage in any mergers or adhere to merger regulations before the 2027 elections.

In a statement released by its National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, the party clarified that it will not follow the clean slate or take-over models.

Recall that on Thursday, 2023 presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai announced the formation of a coalition aimed at challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Agunloye expressed disappointment that the APC and PDP, which have governed Nigeria since 1999, have failed to deliver, citing issues like injustice, corruption, vote-buying, and widespread insecurity as contributing factors to the economic crisis, high youth unemployment, and pervasive poverty.

He stated that given these challenges, the rise of the SDP as a progressive alternative has become increasingly necessary.

He said, “There has been an influx of diverse politicians including high-profile elite into the SDP and they came with contending interests, understandably.

“Some are those seeking to build a consensus for good governance, some want a hostile take-over of the party, some just want to contest the 2027 elections at the Federal or State levels or be part of the push for a better Nigeria, while others are joiners who came to pursue personal issues or vendetta or to sabotage the party.

“As we harvest these momentous newcomers, the party will take charge, be transparent, and remain committed to the principles of social justice.

“As the party opens its secretariats to admit new members, it will reinforce its existing structures and organisation and implement full integration of old and new members to achieve high-level performance to win elections.

“The SDP will be fair to all new members and will create spaces, if necessary, to accommodate them and the resources and energies being brought to the table. However, the party will not operate any mergers or be subjected to any merger rules.

“In managing the influx of contending interests, the party will cautiously avoid the pitfalls in previous alliances. For instance, during the efforts for change in 2013/2014, those advocating for alliance chose any other but Jonathan, model and succeeded in electing anybody who belonged to nobody and did not believe in any progressive ideology.

“Also, the 39-Party Coalition, (CUPP) of 2017/2018 was well put together but it signed an Agreement without the base principles and after it corrected this, it did not have enough time to implement its well-laid out plans.”
He explained that the emergence of the SDP as a dominant force provides the advantage of an early start to implement careful strategies, plans, and programs, along with the opportunity to refine them.

Agunloye continued, “In the meantime, the Party will continue to boost the convergence of strengths on its platform by strengthening its institutions through enhancing its membership registration processes, strengthening its constitutional structures and party organs, and reinforcing all Departments and Directorates.

“It will consolidate its expansion by ensuring proper registration of all new members, setting up Stakeholders Meetings and Action Committees for integration and programme implementation; but it will not accept any buy-out plans.”