As controversy continues to trail the presidential candidacy of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) following a court order restraining Donald Duke from parading himself as the presidential candidate of the party, National Chairman of the party, Chief Olu Falae has called on the members to remain loyal and calm as efforts are on to resolve the logjam.
A press release from the party made available to Journalists in Bauchi signed by Chief Olu Falae contained that called on all the leadership of the party not to attend the event put in place by Professor Jerry Gana to unveil his presidential campaign vision.
The release reads, “the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Chief Olu Falae, CFR, GCON has received a letter dated December 27, 2018 from Professor Jerry Gana, seeking “leave of the National Chairman ” to “unveil the vision and Programme “of his Presidential Campaign and, inviting him as “Chief Host “at both the “unveiling ” on Saturday December 29, 2018 and at the “Summit of Stakeholders” which he is planning for Saturday, January 5, 2019″.
It further contained that, “Earlier correspondence from Prof. Jerry Gana makes it clear that he is basing these proposals on the judgement of the FCT High Court dated 14th December 2018”.
Chief Olu Falae in the release stated that “the Counsel of all the five defendants in the case (including our Party SDP), Wole Olanipekun & Co, has already appealed to the Court of Appeal against that judgement. We have also, through our Counsel, filed a motion at the Court of Appeal, praying for certain reliefs including Stay of execution of the judgement of the High Court and injunctive reliefs against Prof Jerry Gana, pending the determination of the Appeal”.
The release further contained that, “All the relevant processes have been served on Prof Jerry Gana’s Counsel. In the light of the foregoing, we cannot and should not attend any of the events being scheduled by Prof Jerry Gana and his Campaign Committee as it will amount to a breach of the court process and may amount to contempt of Court”.
“I appeal to all Party officials at all levels, leaders and members to stay calm and refrain from participating in actions designed to pre-empt the courts. We must remain loyal to the Party which is more important than any of us. We are All One Party and We are All United”!
It would be recalled that Professor Jerry Gana had obtained a court judgment against the party confirming him as the presidential candidate of the party in the 2019 general elections a development that has plunged the party into crisis leading to court processes ongoing.
and then