Following the receipt of a letter from Professor Jerry Gana, seeking “leave of the National Chairman”, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, to “unveil the vision and Programme” of his Presidential Campaign, the party has declined to attend the event.
According to a statement by National Chairman of the party, Chief Olu Falae, it will amount to a breach of the court process and may lead to contempt of Court if the party attends any of the events being scheduled by Gana and his Campaign Committee.
The party appealed to its officials at all levels, leaders and members to stay calm and refrain from participating in actions designed to pre-empt the courts.
It urged the officers, members and supporters to remain loyal to the party which the national chairman said is more important than any of them.
In a letter dated December 27,2018 Professor Gana, had sought the “leave of the National Chairman to “unveil the vision and Programme “of his Presidential Campaign.”
The letter also invited the SDP national chairman as “Chief Host ” at both the “unveiling of his programme” on Saturday December 29, 2018 and at the “Summit of Stakeholders ” being planned for Saturday January 5 , 2019.
Earlier correspondence from Prof. Jerry Gana had made it clear that he was basing these proposals on the judgement of the FCT High Court dated 14th December 2018.
The party said “The counsel of all the five defendants in the case (including our Party SDP), Wole Olanipekun & Co, has already appealed to the Court of Appeal against that judgement.
“We have also, through our Counsel, filed a motion at the Court of Appeal, praying for certain reliefs including Stay of execution of the judgement of the High Court and injunctive reliefs against Prof Jerry Gana, pending the determination of the Appeal.
“All the relevant processes have been served on Prof Jerry Gana’s Counsel. In the light of the foregoing we cannot and should not attend any of the events being scheduled by Prof Jerry Gana and his Campaign Committee as it will amount to a breach of the court process and may amount to contempt of Court.
“I appeal to all Party official at all levels, leaders and members to stay calm and refrain from participating in actions designed to pre-empt the courts. We must remain loyal to the Party which is more important than any of us.”
