SDP congratulates Obaseki, mocks factional chair

Factional National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party SDP) Chief Supo Shonibare, has congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki on his re-election.

Shonibare in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary Alfa Mohammed on Monday commended the neutrality displayed by both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian police and other security operatives, in enabling a free and fair elections.

The party also mocked factional chairman, Prof Tunde Adeniran who it said presented a dummy governorship candidate who also doubles as his factional state chairman in Edo State, commending the Edo SDP for ignoring his advice to vote the dummy governorship candidate.

The party also hailed President Buhari for not interfering in the process, through the various National Security outfits, which operational responsibilities directives, functions and powers are vested in his office.

“This portends a good omen in the journey to strengthen institutions in our polity. The popular acceptability and ego of many leading APC stalwarts was at stake.

“We must begin to entrench institutions and processes that are greater than individual interests and godfatherism. It is hoped that this will be the beginning of the strengthening of our electoral system and deepening democracy in the polity.

“The electoral process will however be further strengthened and even more transparent by President Buhari assenting to the Electoral Act, as amended by the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, SDP commends its Edo state chapter for aligning with the directives and advice of the SDP National Executive Committee to support Governor Obaseki and ignoring the parallel unelected Prof Tunde Adeniran ‘National Executives’ , who presented a dummy governorship candidate who also doubles up as their factional State Chairman in Edo State.

SDP commends the formation of the rainbow coalition led by PDP and APC stalwarts who exited the Party with Governor Godwin Obaseki, together with the association of other opposition political parties that has Chairman of SDP in the state, Hon. Collins Oreruan, as its spokesperson, as well as the good people and other progressives in Edo State for job well done.

Similarly, it is commendable that despite Obaseki not being a PDP stalwart prior to the formation of the coalition, PDP was magnanimous enough to offer its ticket to an accomplished professional in the person of the victorious governor.

“It is hoped that this will establish the foundation for an emerging alternative force, comprised of all these support bases to usher in the required change in the status quo.

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