The National Working Committee (NWC), Zonal National Vice Chairmen, and some leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), paid a courtesy visit to General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, former President and Commander of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, at his Hilltop Minna residence on Thursday, August 28, 25.
Led by the Acting National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, the team had the Deputy National Chairman (South), Senator (Dr.) Ugochukwu Uba; National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye; National Legal Adviser, Barr Aderemi Abimbola; National Organizing Secretary, Barr. Joseph Achike Abu; Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba; National Woman Leader, Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdullahi; National Labour and Civil Society Secretary, Mrs Rosemary A. Effiong; Hon.(Pharm.) Wafari Theman, National Vice Chairman, North-East Zone; Chief Silas Alani; National Vice-Chairman, South-West Zone; AVM Sadick Abubakar Liman, mni, National-Vice Chairman, North-Central Zone, and Alhaji Muritala Ajaka, the 2023 SDP Governorship Candidate for Kogi State, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the national leadership of the party, leader of the delegation, Dr.Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, congratulated General Babangida for the gift of life to witness another year, and commended him for being the father and founder of the SDP, and for the indelible marks he has made on the sands of time, and as a visionary, his foresight and role in shaping the development of contemporary Nigeria in all fronts.
The Acting National Chairman stated that the visit was to felicitate with him and also to touch base with him to get guidance while tapping from his wealth of wisdom.
Also, speaking, Dr. Olu Agunloye, National Secretary of the Party (who served under the Babangida military administration as pioneer Corps Marshall and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), congratulated the iconic retired general, and noted that his continued influence and relevance as an esteemed elder statesman in national affairs, is underscored by the turning his Hiltop Minna residence to a Mecca of some sorts, by numerous political figures and VIPs who regularly visit him to solicit for his support in their political aspirations, for his wise counsel and strategic interventions which they always consider valuable.
Dr. Agunloye added that Nigerians fondly relate with the glorious and enduring legacies of the former head of state, and they reckon that the SDP is one of his notable contributions to democratic evolution.
General Babangida, in his response, thanked the delegation of the SDP National Working Committee for the visit. their goodwill and prayers. He stated that he was happy to see that the party, which is one of his legacies, continues to endure and is very much relevant in the nation’s political milleu.
He noted that the nation needs the SDP as a vehicle for national redemption, and expressed confidence that the party is in good hands, and has an array of experienced and committed hands and true patriots to effectively pilot its affairs for the good of the country, and to achieve success in the coming national elections.
He counselled the leadership of the Party to be resilient and stand firm and strong in preserving the founding ideology of the party and in protecting it as a truly national political institution, so as to continue to play its important role in democratic consolidation and national development in general.
