In what appeared to be a major boost and reinvigoration for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) after the 2019 General elections, the SDP members-elect in the House of Representatives from Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency in Ondo State, Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye popularly called “Small Alhaji” and his Nassarawa State Assembly counterparts, Hon. Abdulaziz DANLADI have both pledged their loyalty to remain with the party even as they described “SDP as the platform for new generation of leaders in Nigeria”.
The duo stated this during the week at separate courtesy visits to the leadership of the Party in Abuja.
In a statememnt signed by Hon. Yemi Akinbode, Director, Media and Publicity,Social Democratic Party, SDP, “Small Alhaji” the only SDP member of the 9th National Assembly declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), so far, pledged his loyalty and commitment to help build the SDP and nurture it into an enviable position in the committee of parties in Nigeria.
He said ” The SDP is a big political brand, and I am.delighted to have ran and win election on the platform. I was very young during the MKO Abiola led- SDP. So to the younger generation of Nigerian politicians, it presents to us a good and found memories. The ideals and philosophy of the Party is the attraction that propelled us to join the Party. We are delighted that we were able to come this far. Kudos to the leadership of the Party who gave us the opportunity to run on the platform.
Speaking further, “Small Alhaji” said ” To you our great and patriotic leaders, we are proud of you. It is not easy to build a new party. Let us unite and pursue the ideals of our great party”
The 35 YEAR old House of Repsesentatives-elect assured the SDP party leadetship that he would remain loyal and committed to the Party, assuring them that, he will not decamp from the party.
He said” Please count me out of those politicians who would win election on the platform of a party but will later decamp to dominant ruling party because of personal and selfish interest. I am not that kind of politician, I joined the SDP because of its lofty ideas and philosophy. I will remain here and help build the Party for the future. It is the Party for the young and fresh minds. The new generation of Nigerian politicians will achieve their objectives here better than the other parties of spent politicians. I am a very ambitious young politician. Right now I see myself contesting and winning election as Governor of Ondo State someday. So we are not going to leave you. We want to assure you of our commitment and dedication to the lofty programmes of the SDP” he quipped.
In a similar event, the newly elected member of the Nassarawa State House of Assembly, representing Keffi East Constituency, Engr.Abdulaziz DANLADI has also aligned himself with the position of “Small Alhaji” on the need to build a new and credible third force in Nigeria. Hon.DANLADI made this known yesterday while addressing journalists in Abuja after he paid a courtesy visit to the SDP leadership.
Hon. DANLADI who described his election as an act of God and the solidarity of the good people of his constituency Said “Winning election in a terrain like Keffi as a young politician is not an easy task. It is better imagined. We give glory to Allah and the good people of Keffi. We were never given a chance, considering the odds against young people like us. I want to align myself with the position of “Small Alhaji” my senior colleague from.Ondo State. We would remain in the SDP and help build a credible political platform in the interest of the new breed politicians. That is our determination and we would not lose focus.
He said ” Politics is not for self-serving purposes. It is a call to serve the people. We would remain focus in the service of our people. We would hold hands with our colleagues, the new breed politicians and ensure we salvage our country” he concludes.
In his own remarks, the SDP National Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, thanked the legistilators for their show of solidarity and appreciation to the Party leadership. He assured the legislators of the continued support of the Party leadership to all loyal and committed party legistilators and members. He said ” We are glad we have very young and dynamic young people like you as national and state legislators, we want to implore the younger generation of Nigerians to emulate your virtues and determination. If as youths , we play our part and role as expected, in no distant time, the narrative will change. Let us remain steadfast and committed to the ideals of democracy and good governance. We are glad that you have started showing good signs and exemplary behaviours, that is what we need you to do and hope other young politicians would follow your footsteps”.
The two young politicians, particularly “Small Alhaji” has becone the subject of media discussions and reference of what determination and perseverance can do for us as a people. The duo are the only two SDP elected legislators that have been returned as national and state legislators so far in the 2019 General elections. They have also received their Certificates of Return as evidence of their election victory in Nigeria.
The SDP victories in some constituencies in Rivers, Bauchi , Adamawa and Nassarawa have become subject of litigations . It is hoped that the Party will receive judgments in the tribunals to increase its numbers in the National and state assemblies in due course.
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