Crisis looms in Kogi SDP as chairman warns over usurpation

THE Kogi state chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Tuesday warned against destabilisation of the party as it prepared towards winning the state during the 2019 general election.

The party said it was not planning any congress in the state as its structures from the ward to the state level had been put in place.

The state chairman of the party, Indah Abdulrahman, while addressing newsmen in Lokoja, the state capital, said the warning became imperative following moves by some individuals and aspirants to cause confusion and crisis among members of the party.

According to him, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party at its last meeting made it’s resolution clear that the existing structures of the party remained at all levels and congresses should only be held to fill vacancies where it exists.

He said, “Therefore, it is senseless for any individual or group to declare vacancies and even fix dates for congresses without regard to the existing leadership of the party in Kogi state which tenure expires in November 2020.

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“I am, therefore, using this medium to call on those causing this illegality to desist forthwith and comply with the resolution of the NEC which will no doubt promote internal democracy, which is lacking in most political parties in the country.”

Abdulrahman, however, disclosed that he had already petitioned the national secretariat on the attempt by the individuals to turn the party to their personal property.

He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the proposed congresses of the party arranged by the individual and slated for July 7, 2018, is not only illegal but null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”

The party chairman, however, warned members against organising or attending meetings that were not called by the state secretariat.

He urged members to always conduct themselves in line with the constitution of the party, saying the state secretariat had concluded arrangements to hold a stakeholders meeting to address some of the problems facing the party in the state.