Okwe Obi, Abuja
Less than three days to the presidential election, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is still enmeshed in crisis, as a faction recognised by Professor Tunde Adeniran has expelled presidential contender, Professor Jerry Gana, over alleged anti-party activities.
Earlier, another faction loyal to Gana had suspended Adeniran for “unconstitutional and unilateral appointment and announcement as Ag. Chairman of the SDP. The faction, also suspended Shehu Gabam for “grave acts of misconducts and anti-party prejudicial to the fortune of the party, which have brought the party disrepute.”
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, National Publicity Secretary of the faction backed by Adeniran, Yemi Akinbode, described their action as an affront which negates the party’s constitution.
Akinbode read Article 19:4 of the party’s constitution, which stated that ‘the National Working Committee of the party shall have exclusive powers to suspend any member of the party for violation of its constitution, anti-party activities or on recommendation of the appropriate Executive Committee to be ratified by the NEC and in cases of gross violation, expel any member of the party, to be ratified by the National Convention (the Constitution of the SDP 2018, as amended,’ hereby expel professor Jerry Gana from the party with immediate effect.”
He accused Donald Duke of undermining the goodwill towards him, refusing to commence campaigns since he was elected as the party’s presidential standard bearer.
Consequently, “for his disrespect for the leadership of the party and relying on the provision of the party’s constitution, the NEC wish to annonuce the immediate suspension of the party,” he said.