The National Publicity Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, has welcomed the recognition of the party’s leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing it as a victory for internal party administration and democracy.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News, Aiyenigba said the development was a positive step not only for the SDP but also for Nigeria’s democratic system.
“That we have INEC fully recognising the leadership of the party as it stands today is a good development, not only for the SDP, but a victory for political party administration and democracy,” he said.
Aiyenigba also spoke about the party’s recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, during which several key decisions were taken regarding the party’s leadership structure.
According to him, the NEC ratified previous actions taken by the party, including the suspension and eventual expulsion of former National Chairman Shehu Gabam and others.
He explained that Gabam had initially been suspended on June 24 last year and was later expelled on October 25, with the NEC formally endorsing those actions during its latest meeting on March 9.
“The democratic process was open for them to account for their stewardship and possibly receive a clean bill of health if they were not found guilty. But they failed to utilise that opportunity, and the party had to take necessary actions,” Aiyenigba said.
He also criticised the conduct of recent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) local government elections, blaming movement restrictions and curfews imposed during the polls for the low voter turnout.
According to him, the measures discouraged participation and contributed to widespread voter apathy.
“The election has come and gone, but the negative effects are still reverberating. There were fundamental abnormalities, including restrictions that discouraged people from coming out to vote,” he said.
Aiyenigba urged Nigerians to become more active in holding political leaders accountable and to resist political complacency.
“We Nigerians have a duty to rise up, hold leadership accountable, get out of our docility and reclaim our nation,” he added.
On the party’s zoning arrangement for the 2027 presidential election, Aiyenigba clarified that the SDP has decided that its next presidential candidate will emerge from the southern region of the country.
He explained that the decision followed the emergence of the party’s National Chairman from the North-East, making it appropriate for the presidency to shift to the South.
“Our National Chairman is from the North-East. With this development, our presidential candidate will automatically come from the South,” he said.
Aiyenigba expressed confidence that a strong and credible candidate would emerge from the party ahead of the next general elections.
He also voiced optimism about the conduct of the 2027 elections, expressing trust in the leadership of the current INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.
According to him, the electoral body’s leadership has demonstrated competence and integrity.
“We believe the current INEC leadership will deliver credible elections,” he said.
Aiyenigba dismissed suggestions that the SDP is unprepared for the next electoral cycle, insisting that the party has already begun systematic preparations for 2027.
He said the party leadership had received approval from the NEC to implement strategic programmes aimed at strengthening its structures and positioning the SDP for a stronger performance in the upcoming elections.
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