SDP Presidential Candidate to emerge October 6
The 2018 Special National Convention of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) will hold on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, the Chairman of the Publicity Sub-Committee, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, said this on Wednesday.
Prof. Alkali, who addressed journalists in Abuja, said the convention was fixed in accordance with the 2019 general elections time-table of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the approved schedule of activities of the SDP.
He said since the congresses to elect delegates and candidates of the party to contest for various offices across the country had also been concluded nationwide, the SDP was expecting about 4,500 delegates at the scheduled national convection to elect its presidential candidate ahead of the February 16, 2019 presidential election.
Prof. Alkali, who said a total of five distinguished Nigerians of impeccable character had signified their interest and purchased nomination forms for presidential elections, expressed the SDP’s commitment to ensure that the forthcoming convention was conducted under an open, free and transparent atmosphere to ensure that the outcome of all the elections were credible, fair and just.
He said the upcoming convention was special because it would feature the ratification of the amended SDP Constitution of the Party, the election and ratification of the election of new National Executive Committee (NEC) members; and the selection of the presidential candidate in preparations for the general elections.
He called on the INEC and the security agencies to step up their efforts to ensur the forthcoming general elections in 2019 were conducted transparently in an atmosphere of peace and orderliness so that the outcome would be acceptable to all.
Prof. Alkali said the party had witnessed momentous changes in the organisation and administration under the leadership of Chief Olu Falae after the adoption of new ideas and strategies at every stage for effective membership mobilization.
He said, “As you are all aware, the Social Democratic Party, as an evolving, vibrant and emerging political party, we are moving quickly to dominate the political space in Nigeria after the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
“The 2018 Special National Convention of the SDP is therefore a celebration of our own democracy as a Party. It is the culmination of a thoroughly participatory process which began over a month ago right down at the level of our respective wards, LGAs, States and Zones.
“No doubt, Nigeria and Nigerians are going through numerous and serious difficulties and challenges acknowledged even by highly respected international Institutions and Organizations. However, the time has come to stop agonizing but to organise; we must move away from complacency and despondency to action – to plan, to reach out, to organise, to mobilize and save our country and democracy. And the time is now. And the platform is here. I wish call call on all patriots to now stand up and be counted and step forward as we reboot the nation’s democratic process.
“Unlike other so-called progressive parties, the SDP membership is all-encompassing, with participation from a broad spectrum of Nigerian society including: seasoned academics, businessmen, students, vibrant youth and women, artisans, and Nigerians in the Diaspora. We are everywhere because we are open and can be trusted.
“Today, the SDP is the only political party in the country that is truly progressive and representative of the strength in the diversity of Nigeria that offers hope for for a better future Nigeria. This is an important point to remember as we prepare towards the 2019 general elections.”
