The National Chairman, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Gabam, says the party will change the face and character of governance in Nigeria, if given a chance to rule the country.
Gabam said this at the ongoing SDP National Convention on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said that it was time for the country to get it right in 2023 general elections.
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 are set to elect our party’s presidential flag bearer who will be mandated to pursue our vision of a new Nigeria, 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 no 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
Gabam, who pledged that the convention would be transparent, urged all aspirants to accept the outcome of the convention and work for the success of SDP in 2023.
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.
The two presidential aspirants Prince Adewole Adebayo, his female contestant, Khadija Lamido are contesting the party’s ticket.