SDP faction disowns coalition move, says plan unpatriotic

A faction of the Social Democratic Party has dissociated itself from the reported plan by some opposition parties to form a coalition.

The faction made its position known in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alpha Mohammed, on Friday.

The statement read, “These reports suggest that the SDP, alongside other major opposition parties in Nigeria, is involved in forming a coalition against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“We acknowledge the existence of a substantial conspiracy, reportedly backed by influential opposition figures and certain private sector entities.

“The SDP firmly distances itself from such unpatriotic and undemocratic political tactics.”

He added, “To eliminate any confusion, it is important to note that the mainstream SDP, currently embroiled in a legal struggle against certain factions illegitimately recognised by INEC, is committed to engaging with President Tinubu’s administration constructively for the next three years. This approach excludes any involvement in schemes aimed at destabilising the government or distracting its focus.”

While urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and discerning in the face of potentially harmful propaganda and provocative statements that would soon be pouring out from the said coalition, he added that such tactics are designed to erode public confidence in the President and the ruling political class.

PUNCH Online reports that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, had urged the opposition parties to unite to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Atiku had warned against the possibility of Nigeria gliding into a one-party state, urging the opposition to put heads together to break the move.

On Thursday, seven opposition parties comprised of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, the SDP, the Allied Peoples Movement, the Zenith Labour Party, the Young Progressives Party, and the PDP announced a coalition under the umbrella of the Coalition of Concerned Political Parties.