Prominent citizens have spoken out saying that those planning to rig the 2023 general election will fail, advising that politicians, instead should take their electioneering campaign to the grassroots rather than
relying on rigging, federal might or power of incumbency.
The senior citizens including the founding chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, a former Liaison Officer to the late President Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai and former Education Minister, Professor Tunde Adeniran who spoke at the official commissioning of the new National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party, SDP warned that there won’t be room for rigging in the 2023 general election.
They urged sincere politicians to have the interest of the nation at heart to quickly move to the grassroots and embark on serious campaigns, saying this time around it is the grassroots that would determine their fate.
Chief Falae explained that when they decided to revive the SDP, some people thought it was going to be impossible but that it was done hitch-free which was the only alternative for the people of conscience as the two big political parties, APC and PDP had failed the nation.
He said the SDP being managed by credible Nigerians would restore the lost glory of Nigeria going by array of credible characters seeking elective offices under it in the forthcoming elections.
According to him, “We have a good Presidential candidate in the person of Prince Adewole Adebayo who did not only show the knowledge of law but history, anthropology, architecture and other fields.
“The party may not have a governor today, may not be in Aso rock, but the SDP is getting there, Nigeria is in crisis as a result of failed leadership.
“Nigeria today is in crisis. You can’t move without being kidnapped. I have been kidnapped for four days on my own farm.
“I traveled to Lagos on foot as a young man without being kidnapped. But at 77, I was kidnapped. Controlling government is not controlling party. Ask the parties, what is their philosophy, they don’t know it, they don’t have a plan, that’s why things are getting worse.
“SDP is the only party that can restructure and revive Nigeria. More people will leave the country if things are not put right. More doctors are leaving.
“Politics is about numbers. Bring people to the party and surprise the so-called party because no one will rig the election.
“We have a good chance to deliver Nigeria and help Nigeria from disaster. You have the change to deliver Nigeria,.
Also speaking, elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, said that the SDP should move to the grassroots and campaign adding that with the new electoral act 2022, no one will be able to rig the elections.
Yakasai who was represented by the SDP gubernatorial candidate in Adamawa State, Dr Umar Ardo, said that the electoral act made it impossible for anyone to rig the elections as we’re being done in the past.
According to him, “2022 electoral act is an opportunity for the SDP to make a mark as room for rigging and vote allocation have been tackled.
“What is put in the ballot box is what will be out and announced to the public. Don’t worry about not having governors. Go and talk to the grassroots because they are tired of APC and PDP, they are after alternatives.”
The presidential candidate of the SDP, Prince Adewole Adebayo said what SDP, “is bringing to Nigerians is just the white horse which signifies victory and prosperity.
According to him,”because poverty is ungodly and unnatural. If we don’t fight poverty, it will produce children which is insecurity. We are back, 30 years later, to open this office for truth, justice and farewell to poverty.
“If you want to know if I will be a better president, I’ve chosen SDP as a platform and not as a money bag for political parties. I chose a youth banker, Yusuf Salisu Buhari as my running mate.
“SDP has the young person as the national chairman and I am telling Nigerians that the opportunity you have been looking for is here.
On his own , Prof. Adeniran lamented the county had be ruined and needed a credible Political Party as the SDP to revived, saying that Nigerians should rise up and vote for the candidates of the party at all levels for all and Sunday to have a new Nigeria.
In his remark, the National chairman of the party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam played tributes to the founding fathers of the party and promised to lead the party to a total victory that would shake the world in the anal of elections in Nigeria.
According to him,” let it be on record, our party, the SDP will spring surprises at polls, we are not planning to rig elections, we don’t have money to throw around but our strength is the Nigeria people because they know our plans for them, we are different from others.”
