Writing By Daniel Karlmax, Editing By Godwin Duru
The National Leadership of the Social Democratic Party, SDP says the party remains the only vehicle to rescue the country from the menace of maladministration that has prevented Nigeria from effectively utilizing its rich human and natural resources.
It identified the myriad of challenges facing the country-ranging from hunger and poverty to insecurity and infrastructural deficits, as major reasons for contesting the presidential seat in the next election, with the hope of having a just and equitable nation.
Speaking to Newsmen at the party’s Secretariat in Kaduna, on the sidelines of the Arewa Consultative Forum’s 25th Anniversary meeting, the SDP’s 2023 Presidential Candidate and party leader, Prince Adewale Adebayo, emphasized the need for unity and collective consciousness among Nigerians to salvage the nation’s democracy.
He said the journey to a better future depends on “better thinking” and a commitment to steering the country in the right direction, towards democratic dividends for all Nigerians regardless of religion, ethnicity and tribe among other affiliations
According to Prince Adewale, the SDP is nationally driven and aims to bring hope and renewed faith to Nigerians for enhanced socioe-conomic growth and development.
He lamented the recent defection of politicians to the ruling party, describing it as a conspiracy against the people and an act that denies Nigerians their true mandate.
“We are just looking at them, because in all their plans they forgot that God created this country. So let us understand that what they are doing is politics, and what we are doing is national development.”
He added that Nigerians must remain united, noting that hunger, unemployment, poverty, insecurity, and underdevelopment do not discriminate by region, gender, age, or religion.
He stressed the need for collective efforts to protect democracy from being undermined by bad leadership.
Adebayo accused the APC-led administration of attempting to destroy the opposition, saying its efforts are gaining momentum because the previous major opposition party failed to deliver during its sixteen years in power.
“When you are given power, you should do justice. If not, one day you will be at the receiving end of injustice. That’s why you see them running helter-skelter in search of seats and positions,” he said.
Adebayo described Nigeria’s political system as a form of “internal colonialism,” where citizens have been relegated to the background while only a few elites benefit from national resources, urging Nigerians to rescue the country from what he called “black-skin colonial masters.
Adebayo criticized leaders who only remember the people during elections:
“They have their own hospitals, roads, schools, mosques and churches, banks—everything. For only six months during campaigns, they remember your house. So if you open the door for them again, it is your responsibility.”
He said the SDP is not in politics for selfish reasons but as the “only vehicle left” to rescue the country.
He called on Nigerians, including SDP faithful, to remain committed to spreading the party’s message, which he said is people-oriented and nationally driven.
He added that Nigerians have the power to hold leaders accountable if they are dissatisfied.
“The National Assembly is not holding hearings on insecurity in Nigeria. It is America that is doing hearings on insecurity in Nigeria. And that’s why in the SDP, we need to be serious.” he added.
The SDP High-Powered Delegation in Kaduna comprised national officers and members of the National Working Committee, including friends of the party.
Daniel Karlmax
