Victor EzejaVice Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Benue State has faulted the reported alliance with the Labour Party in the state.
Reacting to media reports that the SDP had collapsed it’s structure for the Labour Party in the state in a bid to take over the Benue State government from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, he said the Chairman of the party had no right to agree on such as he had been expelled.
John Enemari who is said to be the SDP chairman in the state had directed all executives of the party in the three senatorial districts of the state to throw their weights behind Labour Party candidates in the forth coming general elections.
READ ALSO: Labour Party, SDP Form Alliance
However, reacting to the development, Vice Chairman of SDP in Benue State, Emmanuel Ibyabya countered the directive, claiming that John Enemari had been expelled from the Party during it’s National Convention on 8th June, 2022, and therefore lacks the power to make such directives to party executives.
The SDP vice chairman described Enemari as a “disloyal and unfaithful” member of the party, adding that his leadership wasn’t healthy for the survival of the party in the state, hence his suspension and subsequent expulsion.
He said: “Ordinarily, the SDP as a disciplined, strong and focused political party with huge prospects of resounding victories in next year’s general elections, would not have contemplated joining issues with persons of questionable character but for those who may not easily detect and differentiate truth and falsehood, we have decided to set records in proper perspective.
“It is expedient to put on record that, if it is the same John Enemari that we know, he was suspended by the party in January, 2022 and later expelled at the National Convention of the SDP on 8th June, 2022 and has seized to be a member of SDP.
“He therefore lacks the locus standi to act even as a member of the party.
“That John Enemari has been expelled from office as a disloyal and unfaithful party man, whose leadership was turning a pestilential hair on the skin of the party and his superiors is no longer news as this can be verified from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the SDP national secretariat.”
Ibyabya accused Enemari of making attempts to disorganize the party after his expulsion, but hasn’t succeeded. The SDP vice chairman declared that the Benue State chapter of SDP has neither contemplated nor currently in talks with any political party for alliance or meger and urged members of the public to disregard any information to that effect.
“Following his suspension and later expulsion, instead of showing remorse to rebuild his lost integrity, the former chairman decided to embark on mischief and unfruitful attempts to recruit elements with the aim to dismember the party.
“As a sad venture, Enemari purportedly went further in the desperate attempt to convince one of the political parties of a planned defection with large followership, which, again failed on distrust.
“While the state chapter of the Social Democratic Party is not interested in his political voyage, we wish the unsuspecting public to know that the SDP is not in talks or has contemplated alliance or merger with any political party.
“SDP has since concluded its primary elections and the names of all candidates are well published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and this information can be verified from the Benue State INEC offices.
“The party is convinced of expected victories in the 2023 general elections as all of its candidates are credible and reliable enough to give the party the desired victory.
“We however know that as a drowning politician, Enemari is desperately in search of anything to grasp and save face and might deceive any political party or person that does not know him well.
“Let it be known that no member of the SDP has joined Labour Party or any other political party and we urge our members and sympathizers to be watchful, resolute and determined for victories in 2023.
“SDP remains united and committed to Social Justice. The State Working Committee as well as members of the party are fully behind the State Chairman, Hon. Ameh Ebute Jnr.”
National chairman of the SDP, Alhaji Shehu Gabam affirmed that Enemari had been suspended. He said, “there is no truth in the merger story. Enemari was expelled from the party. He is no longer a member of SDP as we speak.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
Follow Us