SDP Unveils Congress Timetable, Sets Sights On Capturing Power In 2027
•By Admin
ABUJA — THE Social Democratic Party (SDP) has declared itself fully prepared for the 2027 general elections, announcing the commencement of its nationwide congresses and national convention as part of efforts to reposition the party for electoral victory.
Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, National Chairman of the SDP, Alhaji Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, said the party remained united, focused and undistracted despite reports of internal wrangling.
Gombe disclosed that the party would begin its ward and local government congresses from May 1 to May 5, followed by state and zonal congresses, while the national convention is scheduled to hold in Bauchi on May 9.
“The party met its timelines and programmes of activities.
We are starting our congresses from the 1st to 5th of next month, beginning with the ward and local government congresses, state congresses, zonal congresses and capping it up with the national convention slated to take place in Bauchi on the 9th,” he said.
According to him, the sale of nomination forms for various elective positions is already ongoing, adding that many party members had indicated interest in contesting for offices ranging from state assemblies to the presidency.
“There are a lot of members of the party that have shown interest to aspire for various offices from the state assemblies, national assemblies, Senate, governorship and the presidential election come 2027 and it is still ongoing,” he stated.
The SDP chairman stressed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) remained intact and fully in charge of the party’s affairs, insisting that issues relating to internal party administration were exclusively the responsibility of the party.
“Any issue to do with political parties, particularly internal affairs, are the exclusive reserve of the political party to take charge of its internal affairs and we are fully in charge of our internal affairs,” he said.
He noted that nine out of the 11 NWC members were present at the briefing, while another member was attending an official engagement with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Gombe also reiterated the party’s ideological commitment, saying the SDP would continue to operate within democratic principles and constitutional provisions.
“And we remain as ideological as you know the SDP used to be. We are ideological and that is why we are able to come up with policies and issues toward the piloting of the party,” he said.
He assured Nigerians that the SDP would participate actively in the 2027 elections with the objective of winning power at the national and state levels.
“We are on course toward participating in the 2027 general elections as one family determined to capture power at the national level and most of the states and the national assembly and state assemblies,” he added.
The national chairman further recalled that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on March 9 at Newton Park Hotel and Resort was monitored by a seven-member INEC delegation led by Deputy Director of Election and Party Monitoring, Alhaji Sani Hassan.
According to him, INEC subsequently acknowledged the report submitted by the party, while another verification exercise conducted weeks later by an 11-member INEC team led by Deputy Director Mustafa Omoruyi also went successfully.
Also speaking at the event, former Minister of Information and ex-Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Labaran Maku, expressed confidence in the leadership of the SDP and its preparedness for the 2027 elections.
Maku described the party as one with strong grassroots support across the country, citing Nasarawa State where the SDP won two Senate seats, two House of Representatives seats and four seats in the State House of Assembly during the last elections.
“The SDP in the last election won two Senate seats out of three, which is really a big deal. We also won two House of Representatives seats and four members in the House of Assembly. So it means that the party is really on ground,” he said.
The former minister urged the leadership of the party to remain focused and continue building a strong ideological platform capable of providing direction for governance in Nigeria.
“Political parties are the foundation of democracy. If parties are well organised, ideologically driven and have vision, then the country follows the vision of the party,” Maku stated.
He pledged his continued loyalty and support to the SDP, expressing optimism that the party would become a major force in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 polls.
•INDEPENDENTNG.