SDP is ahead of other political parties in Nigeria, IBB declares

June 12 is what is known as the Democracy Day, a yearly national public holiday in Nigeria marked on May 29th as the day the Military handed over power to an elected civilian government in 1999.

On June 6th 2018, the Buhari led government changed it to 12th June. It is a tradition that has been held annually, beginning in year 2000.

June 12 was previously known as MKO Abiola Day, mainly celebrated in Lagos, and some south western states of Nigeria. MKO Abiola won the election in 1993 under The Social Democratic Party of Nigeria, the SDP: a centre-left political party in Nigeria created alongside the National Republican Convention NRC by former military president Ibrahim badamasi Babangida, as part of a democracy project meant to form two detribalized Political parties and unites the nation.

The election was conducted by Prof. Humbrey Nwosu which was seen as the freest and fairest election to date on the Option A4 voting system and the Open ballot system.

In this year’s speech, President Buhari said: “From 1999, we consistently celebrated Democracy Day to mark the end of military rule and the return of power and control into the hands of those freely elected by the people. On this day, Nigerians recommit themselves to ensuring we protect and preserve the ideals of democracy.

“In 2018, we moved Democracy Day from 29th of May to the 12th of June. This change was to remind all Nigerians of one free election after which the presumed winner along with Nigerians were denied their rights and their choice.

This Annulment in 1993 was done under the leadership of General Babangida.

On this day, June 12, 2022, almost three decades after, the National Executive Committee and other senior members of SDP visited and met with General IB Babangida where discussions on various subjects took place and the need of another opportunity for SDP to win the next election in 2023 in Nigeria.

The former President commended the Leadership of the party for the visit and noted that for the party to still being existing after June 12 1993 is for the benefits of the country.

He called on all Nigerians to supports the party, take the opportunity, use the power of information to get people in and reorganize the country.

According to him “You are ahead of other political parties, this party’s mission will eradicate political literacy in the country.

Provide solutions to myriads of problems of the country”.

Speaking on the Delta State Governorship election come 2023, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida commended the former Minister of State for Education, Barr. Kenneth Gbagi for offering himself to serve the people by contesting for the gubernatorial election, describing him as a true Nigerian who will turn around the sufferings of the people in the state.

Earlier, the National Chairman of the Party, Alh Shehu Gaban, thanked the former President for welcoming the entourage and reminded him that SDP was registered under his administration.

He said “SDP as a Party is being regarded as a third force, our national convention says it all. The national bodies rated it as the best”.

“We follow the new electoral guidelines, we conducted primary elections in states and Nation wide” +.

After the convention of the party we decided to pay respect to the father of the nation.

SDP currently have over twenty seats in the National Assembly.

The scenario and expectations is so similar that stakeholders believe it will be free, fair and transparent with the global community watching plus the usage of new electoral bill in the country.

SDP members and executives that met IBB include National Chairman, Shehu Gaban, Delta State frontline Gubernatorial candidate Barr. Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi and other top party members.