BOLU-OLU ESHO
Former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida(retd) has described Social Democratic Party (SDP) as a vehicle for national redemption needed by Nigeria.
He stated this on Thursday when the leadership of the party paid him a courtesy visit in commemoration of his 84th birthday at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State.
According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of SDP, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, and made available to INDEPENDENT in Akure, Ondo State on Friday, the former Head of state said with the quality of people in the party, they would be able to manage the affairs of the nation very well.
He said the nation is in need of the SDP as a vehicle for national redemption, as expressed confidence that the party is in good hands.
The former Head of state also emphasised that SDP has an array of experienced and committed hands and true patriots who could effectively pilot its affairs of the nation for the benefit of the federation.
He noted that with the quality of personalities in the party, SDP could achieve success in the 2027 general elections.
Babangida, therefore, charged the leadership of the party to be resilient in preserving the founding ideology of the party by consolidating democracy and national development.
The statement reads in parts: “General Babangida stated that he was happy to see that the party(SDP), 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.
“General Babangida 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.”
Led by the Acting National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, the National Working Committee (NWC), Zonal National Vice Chairmen, and some leaders of SDP congratulated General Babangida for the gift of life to witness another year, and commended him for being the father and founder of the SDP.
Speaking on behalf of the party, Dr. Gombe appreciated the former Head of state for “the indelible marks he had made on the sands of time, and as a visionary, his foresight and role in shaping the development of contemporary Nigeria in all fronts.”
He also disclosed 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.”
The statement further reads that “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.”
The team had the Deputy National Chairman (South), Senator (Dr.) Ugochukwu Uba; 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.
Others are 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.
Call to Action:
To stay updated on this and other political developments in Nigeria, please click on the ads you see on our site. Your support helps Nigeria Political Prism deliver quality journalism and in-depth analysis.