The national leadership of Social Democratic Party (SDP) has distanced itself from a group, Alliance for Transformation Mandate (ATM), that described its members as ‘foot soldiers’ for the SDP.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party urged SDP members and general public to ignore the group, as it was obviously sponsored.
The statement affirmed that it is only the National Chairman of the party and National Publicity Secretary as spokesperson who are authorised by the constitution of the SDP to speak for the party on any matter that affects it.
“Members of the SDP across the nation, and the general public are hereby informed that the obviously sponsored group put together to serve the personal agenda of their sponsors, is not known to the party, and therefore, whatever pronouncement they have made about any of the leaders the party is of no moment and lack authority.
“The SDP is a disciplined, well-structured, and truly democratic institution in form and operations, and all its leaders and members reserve the rights of expression and freedom to hold personal views and opinions,” Araba Aiyenigba said.
The SDP spokesman noted that the national leadership and the generality of members reckon with the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, as the best candidate in the last election, and he has excellently represented the ideology of the party in all his outings during and after the 2023 election.
“It should be noted that the party is not in any form of conflict with him, and it expresses a vote of confidence in him and his capacity.
“The SDP will always speak on topical issues that affect the party, when necessary, and will be done through the appropriate and authorised channels, but will not do through fictitious groups.”
