The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, has advised politicians aspiring for elective positions to set up their own structure instead of hijacking the party leadership in various states.
Chief Falae gave the advice in Abuja on Wednesday at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party where the SDP’s constitution, manifesto and logo were considered for approval.
The SDP chairman, who voiced happiness over the decision of some state party leaders to honour the directive to welcome new members into their fold, noted that there were misunderstandings in few states, especially where some people attempted to take over the structure of the party.
He said, “A lot of changes have occurred in the party in the number and quality of members that have joined the party. Hundreds and thousands of people have joined the SDP. I told people that what is going on is a divine decree. God has decided to save Nigerians using the SDP.
“I am happy that we gave directives to all state leaders to accept people that want to join the party. There are few places where there were crisis and misunderstandings. Some people misunderstood their assignments. Some people thought they could take over the structure of the party to advance whatever ambition they have. But the secretariat has been very painstaking in setting the records.
“For those who have political ambition, set up your campaign structure, let it be very friendly and supportive to the party. That is the way we will persuade party members to see things your own way and support your candidacy and the political party.
“I am happy that there are very few areas where we have problems that have remained unresolved. This party believes that every member has the right to participate in choosing their candidates.
“Let me confess that I was surprised when the chairman of Ekiti told me and gave me documents to prove that three to four weeks of registration of party members, we registered close to sixty thousand members. All we need is to get additional members in the state and we will capture the governorship election in that state.”
