March 25, (THEWILL) – The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, has warned defectors against attempting to hijack the party’s structure, insisting that new members must follow due process to join the party.
Adebayo stated that only the party’s National Working Committee has the authority to issue membership cards, urging defectors to avoid using illegitimate means to gain entry into the party.
His remarks come amid reports that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who recently left the All Progressives Congress for the SDP, is leading a group of new entrants into the party, raising concerns over an alleged plan to take over its structure.
Speaking in Abeokuta during a meeting with Ogun State SDP members, led by the state chairman, Dr Yinka Ola-Williams, Adebayo emphasised that while the party welcomes new members, they must join through the proper channels.
He cautioned against the use of counterfeit party cards, stressing that only the NWC, through state and local government executives, can issue valid membership cards.
“People counterfeit naira, they counterfeit dollars, they bring fake rice, and NAFDAC is chasing counterfeit drugs. Why are you surprised that there are counterfeit party cards? Especially if they are carried by counterfeit politicians who have a history of counterfeiting in their former parties.
“We forgive everybody, but this counterfeiting won’t work in SDP. We are not fighting anyone; we are only saying, ‘Come through the front door, not through the ceiling or the window.’ That’s all. Everyone here joined the party legitimately, and anyone coming in must do the same,” he said.
Adebayo reiterated that any membership card not issued through the state and local government executives is invalid, urging party members to reject those trying to bypass established procedures.
“They want to run faster than their legs. You are hearing rumours that people are joining our party—Awolowo is coming, Azikiwe is coming, Balewa, Ahmadu Bello is coming. Let’s see them. Nigerians know us, and they know them,” he added.
Also speaking, Ogun SDP chairman, Ola-Williams, assured that the party was prepared to take power from the APC in the state in the 2027 elections.
“We want people to join us, and we want to work together to provide a better government that will tackle poverty, improve healthcare, and strengthen the education system.
“But they cannot come in and attempt to hijack the party. That is what we will not condone,” he said.
