Eminent personalities and leaders of thoughts from the Yoruba nation and beyond converged on Akure, Ondo State, recently for the re-launch of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the platform on which the Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola contested the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

It was in deed a day of tributes and hounour for Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the election as he was eulogized at the programme. The speakers who recalled the roles played by the late business mongul towards reclaiming his mandate regretted his death and expressed delight with the rebirth of the new SDP, believing that the party would continue from where Abiola stopped.

Speakers included the Leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Chief Rueben Fasoranti, former Secretary to the Government of Fedration, Chief Olu Falae and others across South-West and beyond.

Specifically, Falae who went down memory lane on the formation and registration of SDP, declared that the SDP was set to tackle corruption and unemployment in Nigeria. He said the new SDP was different from other political parties in its manifesto and programmes. He stressed that the party would give efficient leadership and fight the oppressions for the emancipation of the down trodden in the country:

“Let corruption die so  that Nigeria may live. There is so much corruption in the land. Other political parties have shown that they are selfish, but the SDP is for everybody.” He noted that the rate of unemployment was becoming alarming: “The recent recruitment exercise of the Ondo State Government where only 2,000 teachers would be employed out of over 20,000 applicants showed the level of unemployment in the country.” ­

He promised that the SDP would create millions of jobs if voted into power and would deal with corruption which is denying Nigerians the benefit of good governance. Besides, he said the SDP government would exploit bitumen and other mineral resources in the state: “Ihe usual notion that only the Federal Government can exploit minerals has been changed at the last National Conference.”

Fasoranti said: “The party stands for consistency, honesty and accountability,” urging the people to throw their weight behind the party to ensure its success. “This is a new dawn, a new beginning and a new set of people. Let us work hard for a better Nigeria.”

The party’s National Secretary, Sadiq Umaru Gombe, said the party would remain strong as members would ensure its acceptance across the country. He said the party was set to restore the country to the glorious path as Nigerians were tired of deceit and lack of development.


Source; Sun