A faction of the Social Democratic Party loyal to a former Minister of Information , Prof Jerry Gana , yesterday dissociated itself from an alleged ongoing moves by some party leaders to shop for a presidential candidate to adopt ahead of the February 16 elections.
The party ’s National Publicity Secretary , Alfa Mohammed , in a statement made available to journalists said the soul of the party remained in the hands of those he called “ SDP Patriots ” led by Gana.
Mohammed said the party would not have found itself in a tight corner if the National Chairman , Chief Olu Falae ; and the National Secretary , Alhaji Shehu Gabam , had heeded wise counsel by majority of the National Working Committee members against appealing the judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court which gave the party ticket to Gana .
He said Gana remained the only person that could give SDP members the direction to follow during the presidential election .
He added that the former minister would give the direction after due consultations with appropriate leaders and stakeholders .
He said , “It has come to the attention of the loyal National Working Committee members of our great party , the SDP , that a few persons within the party hierarchy are busy shopping for a presidential candidate to adopt on behalf of our party .
“For the avoidance of doubts , the soul of SDP as at today resides with the SDP Patriots , ably led by Prof Jerry Gana , comprising 26 state chairmen and their chapters , 8 of 12 functional NWC members , three out of the four functional national vice chairmen, 1 .5 m polling unit vote canvassers built by Prof Jerry Gana Presidential Campaign Team , 90 per cent of National Executive Committee members and millions of card -carrying members of the party across the country .
“Having failed to heed wise counsel by majority of the NWC members against appealing the judgment of the FCT High Court which gave the party presidential mandate to Prof Jerry Gana , the National Chairman , Chief Olu Falae and the National Secretary , Alhaji Shehu Gabam , have succeeded in denying our party active participation in the presidential election coming up on February 6 , 2019 , because their candidate Mr Donald Duke , who recovered the mandate through the Court of Appeal since a few weeks ago is nowhere to be found.
“With this state of woeful disappointment , the only person that can give effective direction to millions of the SDP supporters on the February 16 presidential election is Prof Jerry Gana ; this he will do after due consultation with appropriate leaders and stakeholders in a matter of days”.
In the interim , we urge members to remain calm and await further information.
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