…Fixes National Convention for April 27
The National Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), on Saturday, suspended the party’s National Chairman, Olu Ogunloye and Secretary, Shehu Gabam, for alleged misconduct.
The NEC unanimously appointed the party’s Deputy Chairman, North, Abdul Mohammed Isaq, as the interim National Chairman and Simon Adesina as interim National Secretary, pending the outcome of its convention slated April 27 to 29, 2022.
The party leadership said that the top officials were suspended for violating the party’s constitution.
The party in its meeting also voided the suspension of state chairmen and officers in any organ of the party.
“NEC observed the wanton disregard to the provisions of the SDP constitution especially Article 12.5(iv) 12.2.2(viii) and Article 9.4 to suspend some officers from the party.
“The NEC considered the various abuses of the constitution by the following under-listed officers and thereby agreed by majority decision to suspend Alhaji Shehu Gabam and Dr Olu Ogunloye.
“The NEC noted the urgency to put in place all that is required for a befitting party convention and therefore resolves that the national convention of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is fixed for April 27th to 29th with arrival being Wednesday April 27th, 2022.
“The appointment of NWC members namely the National Youth Leader, Okechukwu Ogbonna and National Publicity Secretary, Amb. Rufus Aiyegba is here disapproved and cancelled by the NEC.
“The NEC resolved and affirmed that all State Chairmen, officers in any organ of the party purportedly suspended is not acceptable and any notice or communication in that regard is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
The new interim Chairman, Isaq, promised to strengthen internal cohesion within the party ahead of 2023 general elections in the country.
He said that the decision of NEC which he described as the second most powerful organ of the party was collective stressing that the task ahead was a team work designed to actualise set objectives.
“This is the second most powerful organ of the party and they have taken their decision. It is going to be a team work. So, the credit will go to everybody.
“We have quite some resourceful people in this party and you are going to see what is going to happen in Nigeria. And I want to promise you that this party is the next for the this country,” he added.