The G19 Presidential Campaign Team of Prof. Jerry Gana of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has called on credible leaders and teeming members of the party to arise and rescue SDP from the hands of traders, merchants and transactionalists who are hellbent on destroying the party.
At a press conference held in Abuja on Monday precised by the Director General of the campaign organisation, Dr Ike Neliaku the campaign organisation wondered why the leadership of SDP refused to obey the Court Order by forwarding the name of Prof. Jerry Gana to INEC as the presidential candidate of the party as directed by law.
According to him to “Without any ambiguity, the matter of the presidential candidacy of the SDP in the 2019 election ought to be fully rested by now, given the subsisting judgment of the FCT High Court.
“Unfortunately, the mishandling of this weighty matter, and the open bias displayed by the National Chairman of the Party, Chief Olu Falae in the face of a clear Order of a Court of competent jurisdiction, remain incomprehensible and his motives and integrity questionable.
“It has now become very clear that the National Chairman and the National Secretary of the party Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, without recourse to other members of the NWC have continued to act as though the party is a private venture.
“We state categorically that it has always been obvious, and we say so on good authority, that the duo have a script other than the interest of the party, which they have manipulated thus far and would henceforth continue no more.
“Otherwise, how does one explain their stand on this matter, in spite of the fact that majority of NWC members, State Chairmen and party faithful across the country, have continued to cry and shout, insisting that Prof Jerry Gana’s name be submitted to INEC, Instead of acceding to the demand of the majority, the duo have resorted to direct threats, intimidation and suspension of members who dare to speak out”
The statement further pointed out that SDP is not a fascism organisation where people are forbidden from speaking their minds, stressing that freedom of expression is one of the pillars of democracy and as social democrats members shall no longer be caged.
“We understand that Chief Falae’s preferred candidate, Mr. Donald Duke did not come to the SDP with the intention of really contesting for the Presidency. We say so for a number of reasons.
“There is no trace of evidence nor record anywhere in the custody of the Party to show that he paid for his nomination forms; whereas Prof. Gana paid N11million as and when required. Yet, there was an insider-dealing to dash him the Party’s nomination form while others had to pay.
“This is not about Prof. Jerry Gana, it is about right versus wrong! It is about the destiny of millions of Nigerians whose lives are dependent on putting in place a better leadership alternative based on competence, capacity, character, and courage,” he noted.
