Ex-governorship candidates defect to SDP

Former governorship candidates of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in the 2023 general elections have defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), pledging their support for the party’s vision ahead of the 2027 elections.

The defectors include Emiyare Etete (Rivers), Elder Chris Agu (Enugu), Anthony Umeh (Anambra), Abdulkareem Mustapha (Kwara), and Capt. Ahmed Kaugama (Jigawa).

Others are Adam Idris, former PRP House of Representatives candidate for Kaduna North Federal Constituency.

They were officially received at the SDP national secretariat in Abuja by the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, who assured them of full integration into the party.

“Our party is open and willing to welcome everyone without any precondition.

“If your interest is to build an institution, please join us. The moment you join the SDP, you have equal rights like all of us here,” he said.

He also reiterated the party’s readiness to contest the 2027 general elections, adding, “In SDP, we are united, we are one force and one family. In SDP, there is no use and dump.”;

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, the Chairman of the former PRP Gubernatorial Candidates Forum, Makarfi Hayatuddeen, stated that their decision was based on their belief in SDP’s capacity to transform Nigeria.

“We did not leave the PRP because we were hungry,”; Hayatuddeen said.

“We believe that the SDP is a party that will lead Nigeria to where we have always aspired to see her among the committee of nations,” he added.

He called on Nigerian youths and women to join SDP, describing their move as a “strategic realignment of progressive forces.”;

The event was attended by top SDP officials, including the party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, and other members of the National Working Committee.