APC’s failure, PDP’s lack of redemption will clear the way for SDP in 2019 —SDP National Secretary, Gabam

Shehu Musa Gabam is the interim National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), a party that is emerging as political force in the country. Recently, he was in his hometown, Tilden Fulani in Bauchi State, to register as a member of the party and obtain his membership card as well as officially open the ward office of the party. He fielded questions from journalists, including Tribune’s ISHOLA MICHAEL.

What is your reaction to President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent declaration to contest for second term?

As far as the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is concerned, every eligible Nigerian, including President Buhari, has the right to aspire to any elective office in the country. Therefore, his intention to re-contest is not in violation of the laws of the country.

Is the development not a threat to the chances of the SDP?

No, the SDP is not in any way shaken by the intention of President Buhari to re-contest come 2019. Let me assure you that the SDP will soon become the rallying point for politicians thereby emerging as the party to beat in the 2019 general election. From all indications, Nigerians have realised that both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have failed and therefore need a different platform to repair the country.

The SDP is not in any way bothered by the ambition of President Buhari but is worried that the APC has failed Nigerians woefully as not a single one of its campaign promises has been fulfilled in the last three years. The present insecurity in the country following the inability of the ruling APC to arrest the incessant killings across the country, coupled with the economic situation in the country, is not giving Nigerians any hope of survival. But I am assuring you and all Nigerians that the SDP will address all the issues when it wrests power from the APC in 2019. With the irredeemable posture of the PDP, coupled with the failure of the ruling APC, the SDP has a great chance to put things right in the country. I am therefore calling on Nigerians to rally round the party so that the required positive change can be made in the country.

Are you convinced that your party will be accepted by Nigerians, considering that the ruling APC and the main opposition PDP are firmly and widely rooted in the country?

Don’t forget that the SDP is an old wine that is coming back in a new bottle in order to attract the attention of the people. You know that an old wine is better than a new one but it just needs to be repackaged in order to be attractive to the people. Very soon, the SDP structure at all levels will be put in place so that it will be able to start political activities in full swing. One thing I will assure is that the party will not in any way impose leadership on the people, no matter what. It is a party for all Nigerians.

You are from Bauchi State where the APC holds sway. How prepared is the SDP to stand up to the APC in the next general election?

Insha’Allah, the SDP will, in 2019 general election, wrest power from the ruling APC in Bauchi State because it will ensure that all qualified members of the party at all levels are given a level playing ground to achieve their aspirations. I have just picked my membership registration card in my Tilden Fulani ward of Toro Local Government Area of the state and this has signified the commencement of membership registration in the state as well as across the country. Let me reiterate that the party will not impose candidates on the electorate but it will welcome all shades of people who are disillusioned with the current political dispensation in the country. However, the party will not condone corruption under whatever guise.

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What machinery has the party set in motion on membership drive?

The party has set machinery in motion to canvass for members across the country since party politics is all about number. The SDP as a political party will do everything to sell its ideas to Nigerians for acceptability. A membership mobilisation and orientation committee will be set up at all levels across the country in order to sell the ideas and policies of the party to intending members because we have discovered that such is lacking in the present political dispensation in the country. Let me assure you that the ‘Option A4’ which was made popular during the two-party system in the country will be adopted in order to promote fairness, equity and justice among the members of the party. Consultations are ongoing to get top politicians to join the SDP because it is the only party that is truly democratic in the country. Very soon, you will see the calibre of politicians that will pitch their tents with us. I enjoin members of the Bauchi State executive of the party as well as all the chairmen at the local government areas to embark on membership drive for the party. And very soon, the state secretariat of the party will be opened.