A Nigerian Lawyer and Founder of the KAFTAN Television Prince Adewole Adebayo, has won the presidential primary election of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The election which was keenly contested drew delegates from the 36 States of the Federation to the International Conference Centre, Abuja where Adebayo polled 1, 546 votes to defeat his closest rival Kadijah Okunnu-Lamidi who polled 83 votes.
The Segun Oni-led convention planning committee declared 44 votes invalid.
Adebayo while reacting to his victory promised to run an all-inclusive government, attract the best brains in various spheres of human endeavours to make the country great again.
He said, SDP remains the only democratic alternative left for Nigerians “who are tired of the broken promises made by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The exercise which lasted for over nine hours was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), delegation led by national commissioner, publicity and voter education, Barr. Festus Okoye and other independent observers.
Earlier, The National Chairman, of the party Alhaji Shehu Gabam, indicated that his party will change the narratives in character of governance in Nigeria, if Nigerians will give the party chance to rule the country.
According to him, 2023 general election is the time for Nigeria to get it right by electing its candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo
Gabam said that the party considered it expedient to present itself to Nigerians as a veritable alternative, advocating new initiative in administration of the country.
“Today, we have elected our party’s presidential flag bearer who is mandated to pursue our vision of a new Nigeria
“We presenting to Nigeria a new initiative on how to move our country forward to a destination that we can all be proud of.
“Nigerians and Nigeria should be and indeed tired of unfulfilled promises and dashed hopes and now ready to change their destinies.
“Nigerians are tired of unending insecurity problems, tired of poverty and want, tired of daily threats to Nigeria’s corporate coexistence, tired of non-inclusive governance, tired of policies that exaggerate our differences, tired of the daily emigration of our best brains and our youths to better climes.
“Nigerians are tired of bad leadership and tired of lack of electricity in spite of the colossal investments in power generation.
“They crave a land of equal opportunities, social justice, fairness and liberty to pursue their legitimate daily chores without hindrances, a land where existence and ability to achieve their heart desires and to contribute their quota to its development is not defined by their identities.
“These and more are the cravings of Nigerians and these can only be achieved under a new initiative that the SDP offers,” he said
He called on party supporters to work for the success of the party, to consolidate on achievements recorded by the party and continue to move the nation’s democracy forward.
Speaking on June 18 Ekiti governorship election, the SDP National Chairman expressed confidence that the party Governorship Candidate, Segun Oni, would emerge victorious.
Gamba, however, urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the election was credible, free and fair.
He urged INEC to ensure that its bimodal system was put to use in the Ekiti election, not to allow any malpractice.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, to give out strict and decisive directive to all Police personnel to remain neutral in their conduct in all elections so that the process will be credible,” he said
Gabam said that under the SDP government, when voted into office in 2023, the party would make the welfare of police personnel top most priority.
“We shall provide necessary logistics, good remunerations and timely promotions for greater productivity. This we intend to apply to all security agencies in the country,” he said.
Gabam added that the party would also encourage women and youth participation in the polity.
The convention also ratified, adopted and approved the party amended 2022 Constitution.
The convention also approved and ratified the expulsion of Chief Supo Sunibare and other persons suspended or expelled within the period of 2018 and June 2022 in the party.