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Says unity, commitment key to party success at the poll
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From John Adams, Minna
As the race to the 2027 general elections gathers momentum, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Niger State, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, has urged party members across the state to mobilise the electorate at the grassroots to ensure the party’s success in 2027.
In doing so, Ndarani appealed to party supporters to focus mainly on an issue-based campaign to woo the electorate, rather than on character assassination of opposition candidates.
The governorship candidate stated this in Minna on Saturday at the party secretariat during the official presentation of an ex-APC chieftain, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, who recently defected to the party with his supporters, to the state working committee.
Ndarani, who was represented by the deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Japhet Pada, said: “I encourage you to remain peaceful, united and committed to the democratic process. Politics should bring people together, not divide families, communities or friendships.”
He told members of the state working committee, party loyalists and supporters that the responsibility ahead of 2027 was enormous and therefore urged them to work hard and make genuine sacrifices towards the success of the party in the forthcoming general elections in the state.
According to him: “I understand that leadership is not about occupying an office or enjoying the privileges of power. Leadership is about service, accountability, justice, fairness and the ability to give people hope.”
He assured them that, if voted into office in 2027, his administration would promote inclusiveness, transparency and respect for party structures, stressing: “We must build a system where loyalty, hard work, competence and commitment are recognised.”
Ndarani listed unity, grassroots development, youth and women empowerment, accountability, inclusive governance and party recognition as the major priorities of his administration if elected in 2027.
“My commitment is to work with the party leadership, stakeholders and the people of Niger State to build a future where every citizen has a sense of belonging.”
Earlier, the State Chairman of the party, Barrister Buhari Yakubu Yerima, while formally welcoming Vatsa and other defectors into the party, described him as a man of honour and integrity whose grassroots experience would no doubt shape the party in the state.
“We are happy to have him in the party. He will add value to the party. Since the APC does not know his value and allowed him to leave, the SDP will utilise him effectively.”
Also speaking at the occasion, the Vice Chairman, North Central, of the party, Hon. Araba Rufus, urged members of the party to have unity of purpose, adding: “Discipline and loyalty should be your watchword if we must achieve success at the polls.”
He further pointed out that honesty and integrity should always guide their actions, stressing that rescuing power from the ruling party would not be easy, “but with unity and commitment it is possible”.
Speaking shortly after he was presented to the state working committee, Vatsa said he left the ruling party because it had failed Nigerians, saying that the broom could no longer sweep, and adding: “The party has shown that it does not have the interest of the people at heart in all its policies.
“The APC administration in the state has failed in all aspects of human development. The administration is only focusing on personal enrichment to the detriment of public works,” Vatsa submitted.
