Elder statesmen, Chief Olu Falae and Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, have declared that there won’t be rigging in the 2023 general elections, urging politicians to move to the grassroots and campaign for votes.
The duo spoke at the commissioning of the National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking after cutting the tape declaring the new office open, 84-year-old Falae, who is the founding chairman of SDP, said when they decided to revive the party, some people thought it was going to be impossible but they did it without any litigation.
“We have a good presidential candidate in the person of 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,” Falae said, adding that 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 (Medical) 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,” Falae added.
Also speaking at the event, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, who is a former Liaison Officer to President Shehu Shagari, said the SDP should move to the grassroots and campaign for votes, adding that with the new Alectoral Act 2022 in place, no one will be able to rig the election.
Yakasai, who was represented by the SDP gubernatorial candidate in Adamawa State, Dr Umar Ardo, said the Electoral Act made it impossible for anyone to rig the election.
“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,” Yakasai said.
For his part, the presidential candidate of the SDP, Prince Adewole Adebayo, said what SDP was bringing to Nigerians is just the white horse which signifies victory and prosperity.
“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 money bag political parties. I chose a young 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.
“We will go to all the 774 LGAs and wards and deliver victory to Nigerians where Nigerians will have sound medical care, security and education,” Adewole added.
Also speaking, the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, while delivering the goodwill message of Nigeria’s former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, urged the party to go and conquer since it was established during his administration.
“I am happy because one of the parties established during my administration is still alive. Keep hope alive, you can navigate through and bring change,” General Babangida (rtd) said.
Gabam in his own speech said: “I don’t see any party defeating the SDP. The array of our gubernatorial candidates who have contested elections before is overwhelming. If you mention any of them, people know them and they will win in SDP. SDP will stand by you.
“We don’t concede defeat. There is no defeat in our dictionary. We started from a very difficult environment. All of us, let’s forget our sentimental issues if we really want to save Nigeria,” Gabam added.
