SDP resisted takeover attempts by self-serving politicians — Secretary

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The National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party, Olu Agunloye, on Saturday said the party had successfully resisted attempts by “self-serving politicians” to hijack its structure, declaring that the SDP was now repositioned as a formidable opposition force ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Agunloye made the declaration during his presentation at the party’s 2026 National Convention, where he highlighted the SDP’s internal reforms, legal victories and electoral ambitions.

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Addressing party stakeholders, the SDP scribe said the party had undergone significant reforms over the last four years, reclaiming its ideological identity and restoring its structure to what he described as “genuine bona fide members” of the party.

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He said, “The party survived the siege of takeover attempts by self-serving politicians and agents of the coalition who reacted violently to the internal cleansing activities.

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“Our party has been able to reclaim and re-establish itself and has been brought back to its original owners.

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“It has been restored as a public institution for the Nigerian people in general.”

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Agunloye described the SDP as Nigeria’s second-oldest surviving political party after the People’s Redemption Party, noting that the party remained firmly rooted in social justice, equity and ideological politics.

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“The Social Democratic Party is a political party with ideological foundation, heritage and legacy,” he said.

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“As social democrats, this party prevailed under the military regime and won elections in free and fair contests. We shall also prevail under a civilian regime deliberately placing obstacles on the path of free and fair elections.”

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The former Minister of Power and Steel revealed that the SDP reviewed its constitution in 2018 and 2022 as part of efforts to strengthen internal democracy and preserve the vision of its founding fathers.

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According to him, the party also carried out what he described as “essential internal cleansing” over the past year to enforce discipline and protect the supremacy of the party constitution.

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“The internal conflict resolution mechanisms of the party were robustly activated, guided by the constitution and the enforcement of internal discipline,” he explained.

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Agunloye commended members of the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee for resisting pressure from political interests allegedly seeking to take over the party structure.

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He added that despite the challenges, the SDP had continued to gain public confidence as a structured and stable national political party.

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“The dignity and sustainability of the party have earned it recognition as one of the most respected and stable political organisations in the country,” he declared.

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The SDP National Secretary also disclosed that the party secured major court victories against the Independent National Electoral Commission over alleged unlawful interference in its internal affairs.

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Agunloye further stated that the party had commenced the establishment of model secretariat offices at local government, state and national levels as part of efforts to strengthen its nationwide structure.

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He announced that the SDP had resolved to contest all elective positions in the 2027 general elections, from state assemblies to the presidency.

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“All positions in the 2027 general elections will be contested. The horse is galloping and is on its way to national recognition.

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“At any moment from now, the SDP will show itself as perhaps the most credible political party and a strong member of the opposition,” he stated.

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