SDP Moves to Swell Ranks in Abia, Vows to Rout PDP in 2019

Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has intensified efforts to swell its ranks in Abia state with the promoters saying that the party represents the best alternative to provide good governance for the people of Abia state come 2019.

Leaders of the burgeoning party insist that the SDP “is untainted” and therefore in a good stead to upstage the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and take over the government house, Umuahia after the 2019 general election.

To popularise the party and build it to compete effectively in the political arena, the convener and interim leaders of the party have commenced advocacy visits to prominent Abia people to drum up support for the party.

Former minister of foreign affairs, Senator Ike Nwachukwu, who receive the SDP leaders at his country home in Ovim in Isuikwuato local government of Abia state, endorsed the party and advised the promoters to make SDP truly democratic.

Nwachukwu, who was a PDP chieftain but retired from partisan politics in 2014, said the bane of all the main stream political parties, especially PDP and APC was imposition of candidates and impunity hence SPD should avoid making the same mistakes.

“There is nothing like returning candidates unopposed in a democracy; the most popular person should be fielded for elective positions,” he said, adding that even when only one person stands for a particular position party members should still be allowed to cast votes to ratify the ticket.

He called on youths of Nigeria to rise and take their destiny in their own hands by contesting for elective positions, noting that the nation needs generational change as the old order has woefully failed the people, and has brought sufferings, underdevelopment and crisis.

“The old generation has not done well; if it had done well there won’t be Boko Haram, herdsmen menace, kidnappings as well as other terrorist and criminal activities pervading the land,” he said.

Chairman of the steering committee of SDP in Abia, Hon Chidi Nwosu said the party was endowed with credible leaders that would develop Abia state, adding that it was high time the people of Abia rejected PDP and other parties and embrace SDP.

“SDP has arrived in Abia. We are going to recreate Abia and provide for the citizens all that they need to live a meaningful life and realise their potentials after years of misrule, corruption and impunity.”

He lamented that the only industry growing now in Abia is mortuary business, noting that “they spring up every day because death toll is rising as corruption and bad governance continue to thrive and spread hardships.”

In his remarks the SDP convener in Abia, Mr. Okechukwu Phillips, said the party has resurrected and was poised to replace APC and PDP, as according to him, the two main parties will give way to people oriented party as represented by SDP.