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Dismisses disagreement as activities of aggrieved members
The Nasarawa State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Barrister Ibrahim Likita Ajegena, on Monday assumed control of the party’s state secretariat in Lafia, declaring that the party is united and ready to win the state and the presidency in the 2027 general elections.
Ajegena, who spoke on Monday against the backdrop of the leadership disagreement that has rocked the party in the state, dismissed reports of crisis within the SDP, describing the situation as the activities of some aggrieved members who, having failed to achieve their objectives, had resorted to what he described as “spoiler” activities.
He said the party had continued to operate through its zonal offices across the state despite the disagreement, but had now decided to take back its official state secretariat located along Jos Road, opposite the Catholic Church in Lafia.
“There is no crisis in the SDP. There are only some aggrieved members who feel that they could not do anything but to become spoilers.
“We have been operating through our zonal offices in the state, but today, we have decided to take back our office located along Jos Road, opposite the Catholic Church,” Ajegena said.
The chairman said the return to the secretariat marked the beginning of a fresh phase for the party as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.
His assumption of office came two days after the SDP conducted a substitution primary in Nasarawa State, where former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, emerged as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election. (Punch Newspapers)
Adamu emerged after the withdrawal of the party’s earlier candidate, Musa Adamu Angba. The primary was conducted across the state’s 13 local government areas, with the SDP Electoral Committee reporting that 28,637 delegates participated in the exercise. (Punch Newspapers)
The former police chief was the sole candidate in the exercise and was subsequently declared the party’s flag bearer after securing the highest number of valid votes. (Punch Newspapers)
Speaking on the political significance of the exercise, Ajegena said the large crowd witnessed during Saturday’s primary was evidence that the SDP had gained considerable acceptance among the people of the state.
According to him, the turnout should be interpreted as an indication of what the party could achieve in 2027.
“What we witnessed on Saturday is a sign of victory. The crowd was massive and it showed that the people are with us.
“We are battle-ready for 2027. The SDP is prepared to take Nasarawa State, and we are also prepared to take the presidency,” he declared.
Ajegena said the party would build on the momentum generated by the substitution primary to strengthen its structures and mobilise supporters across the 13 local government areas.
He maintained that the SDP was no longer interested in the disagreements that had characterised its internal affairs, stressing that members must now concentrate on the larger objective of winning the 2027 elections.
The chairman said the party would continue to welcome genuine members while urging those who had grievances to resolve them through the appropriate party channels rather than engaging in activities capable of weakening the party.
He also expressed confidence in the capacity of Adamu to lead the party’s governorship campaign, saying the former IGP’s emergence had provided the SDP with a strong platform to challenge the ruling party and other political forces in the state.
Adamu, after his emergence, thanked the party for conducting what he described as a successful primary and pledged to work towards improving Nasarawa State if elected governor in 2027. (Punch Newspapers)
The SDP chairman said the party would now focus on taking its campaign to the grassroots, insisting that the objective was not merely to participate in the 2027 election but to win.
“We have a responsibility to the people of Nasarawa State. We are not going to be distracted by the activities of people who do not mean well for the party.
“Our focus is 2027. We are ready, we are organised and we are battle-ready,” Ajegena said.
Sun reports that with Adamu now confirmed as its governorship candidate and Ajegena asserting control of the state party structure, the SDP is expected to intensify its grassroots mobilisation and reconciliation efforts in the months ahead.
