You were in the SDMP, but now in SDP. Why SDP?
We thought of a name for a political vehicle that would not be labeled as regional but having an ideological direction that is consistent about our view of an egalitarian society, and we played with several names until we reached a conclusion on a name that is generic, that is not derived from any zone of the federation and not coined by any Nigerian. So we thought Social Democratic Party rightly describes our ethos and vision of a fairer society. SDP was not coined by the Babangida regime, it’s a generic name that has existed as a descriptive name used in labeling those people who believe in social democratic transformation of the society, and since we believe in the social upliftmen of the society, SDP perfectly fits into our political philosophy.One of the criticisms against the SDP leadership is that it is bereft of ideas, otherwise, it would not have picked a used name?
There is a misconception about the name as to whether the name is new or old. As I said earlier, it is a generic name. It is like if you think bearing the name Joseph best describes you and your values. Meanwhile the name Joseph has been in use for over 2000 years. So, those who are saying that do not really understand because the name SDP was never coined by the Babangida regime. SDP is a name to describe social democrats. And if one feels that his ideology is that of socialist democratic construction of the society, should he now go and coin a name that does not describe him? It is a name that best describes us. Really, an ideology is cast in gold in a fairer society. The idea about evolving society goes on from time to time depending on the exigency as the need of a particular society. I think those who are saying otherwise probably don’t know what politics is about. Many people say most of your members are aggrieved members of a current political party.
How true is the notion?
That cannot be right. The initial promoters of the SDP were Chief Falae, Dr Ezeife, Dr. Sadik Abubakar, Alhaji Sule Kumo. How about Chief Osoba? Chief Osoba and some members of APC in Ogun State have decided to be part of SDP and the rationale is that they see a platform firmly in place which is consistent with their political roots. Osoba has always been in the progressive fold in this country and was active in Afenifere. It was when Alliance for Democracy, A.D, which was the platform the Afenifere floated at that time, broke into two factions, and one faction was recognized by INEC and he was an elected governor, that they took the pragmatic decision to be part of the recognized A.D faction. So, where they are now is consistent with their political beginning. No, they are not coming to join SDP because they were dissatisfied with the APC. They could have gone to some other party, after all, there are several parties in the land. But they chose the group that is consistent with their political ideology. Critics of the SDP say its promoters are spent forces. What do you have to say to them? I look at the SDP as a new platform, the leaders you are referring to are leaders who are not competing for anything in this country. May be that is why they are spent forces Who is a force? Forces refer to the people who steal. So, how are they forces? Yes, we know the predatory nature of those leading us. I agree that those who are predatory can convince people to come and take from what they have stolen from the system, but then, does that benefit the majority of us? And if the majority of us feel we are contented with people who convert the treasury of a state to themselves, then they should be happy with the PDP and APC. But if they think they need a platform that would make a difference in their lives, then they should come and be part of SDP. SDP does not have any godfather, no relationship whatsoever, it is just a platform for those who think there should be a change in this county. It is a platform that can be taken over by the majority of Nigerians if they can see what we see which is that the ruling parties, the two leading parties do not have any intention of representing our best interest in government. And the only way they can check that is to look at what has happened since 1999. If you people think they are contented with what has been happening, then you vote for these two parties. But if you think your life has not improved, even if you don’t want to contest, you should encourage other people to be part of the third force in the SDP which has no godfathers. The direction can be determined by the majority of people who become part of it. We hope that the majority of the people, who will be part of this third force, will be those who have not been the leading actors in the other two parties so that it can actually represent a different true face to Nigerians. Why now, barely two months to general elections? You think you can make impact? That is left to Nigerians because 99% of Nigerians are not part of governance , from the federal to the state level. And watching the way the politics and the direction the Nigerian polity is going, the travel direction appears to be very destructive on both sides. And if these people are bent on pushing the country to the precipe, irrespective of the fact that they are only a minority part of us, if the majority elects that they should continue, then the majority should not complain that another platform has not been provided. But why this late? Talking about why now, I ask, why is it too late to rescue yourself? When you are at the point of death and someone is offering you assistance, do you tell him he is coming late to offer you medication? It is obvious the way the country is going, these two political parties will push the country to the precipe, we are almost at the point of being a failed state. So, if the two cannot be corrective regimes in averting the country being a failed state and someone is coming to offer an option, why should that be a question of time? A week is a long time in politics, how much more months. Two months, I think is eternity. It is never too late to do what is right. It is only late when the horse bolted, it can only be late if the election is over. It is never late. Are you fielding a candidate in the presidential election? My duty is to present a platform that can present an ideological selfless direction for governance to Nigerians. The function of individuals who will be candidates of the party at all levels will be determined by the people who subscribe to the idea of the party. This is a new idea we are floating. Our ability to present a candidate will depend on those who are not tainted, who subscribe to the ethos and ideology of evolving an egalitarian society. So, whoever becomes the candidates of the party cannot be determined by me. It can only be determined by the members. The party, some have said, is opportunistic, that is, capitalizing on the misfortunes of other parties. If you say we are opportunistic, seeing that the country is gradually becoming a failed state and we are cashing in on that to rescue the country, yes, we are opportunistic. If it is opportunistic to want to better your society, then we are. If it is opportunistic if, after watching since 1999, the power- brokers among these leading parties do not really believe in a selfless government, and we are saying we are a better option, yes, we are opportunistic. If it is opportunistic in saying those who have been ruling us for years have not had the answers to our problems and they are looking more of their own interest, yes we are opportunistic. Some of these power- brokers in government used to or are still your friends. Friends. Yes I have good friends in the two political parties. I can say that a lot of people who are participating in politics now became politicians fictitiously. They are not people who, 20,30 years ago, contributed to the struggle for democracy. They just happen to see an opportunity to be in politics and see it as job for the boys; with that mindset, such people are not likely to have any right or left ideology. Most of the politicians of today see politics as business, not a means of evolving a fairer society. And if you don’t evolve a fairer society, the consequence of that is what we are witnessing in North-east Nigeria today. Education is critical in enlightening the populace , in knowing their rights, and not being susceptible to religious or even confused political beliefs. So, education enables one to be discerning, to be able to make proper judgment, to do what is in your best interest, because it is foolish for one to accept N2000 to go and vote a candidate when, after the election, he will be struggling to send his child to school. But, if someone is properly educated, he will surely refuse the N2000 for a party offering policies that will alleviate and assist the person financially in terms of paying less for medical, education.
SOURCE: vanguardngr
We
thought of a name for a political vehicle that would not be labeled as
regional but having an ideological direction that is consistent about
our view of an egalitarian society, and we played with several names
until we reached a conclusion on a name that is generic, that is not
derived from any zone of the federation and not coined by any Nigerian.
So we thought Social Democratic Party rightly describes our ethos and vision of a fairer society. SDP was not coined by the Babangida regime, it’s a generic name that has existed as a descriptive name used in labeling those people who believe in social democratic transformation of the society, and since we believe in the social upliftmen of the society, SDP perfectly fits into our political philosophy.
One of the criticisms against the SDP leadership is that it is bereft of ideas, otherwise, it would not have picked a used name?
There is a misconception about the name as to whether the name is new or old. As I said earlier, it is a generic name. It is like if you think bearing the name Joseph best describes you and your values. Meanwhile the name Joseph has been in use for over 2000 years. So, those who are saying that do not really understand because the name SDP was never coined by the Babangida regime.
SDP is a name to describe social democrats. And if one feels that his ideology is that of socialist democratic construction of the society, should he now go and coin a name that does not describe him? It is a name that best describes us. Really, an ideology is cast in gold in a fairer society. The idea about evolving society goes on from time to time depending on the exigency as the need of a particular society. I think those who are saying otherwise probably don’t know what politics is about.
Many people say most of your members are aggrieved members of a current political party. How true is the notion?
That cannot be right. The initial promoters of the SDP were Chief Falae, Dr Ezeife, Dr. Sadik Abubakar, Alhaji Sule Kumo.
How about Chief Osoba?
Chief Osoba and some members of APC in Ogun State have decided to be part of SDP and the rationale is that they see a platform firmly in place which is consistent with their political roots. Osoba has always been in the progressive fold in this country and was active in Afenifere. It was when Alliance for Democracy, A.D, which was the platform the Afenifere floated at that time, broke into two factions, and one faction was recognized by INEC and he was an elected governor, that they took the pragmatic decision to be part of the recognized A.D faction. So, where they are now is consistent with their political beginning. No, they are not coming to join SDP because they were dissatisfied with the APC. They could have gone to some other party, after all, there are several parties in the land. But they chose the group that is consistent with their political ideology.
Critics of the SDP say its promoters are spent forces. What do you have to say to them?
I look at the SDP as a new platform, the leaders you are referring to are leaders who are not competing for anything in this country.
May be that is why they are spent forces
Who is a force? Forces refer to the people who steal. So, how are they forces? Yes, we know the predatory nature of those leading us. I agree that those who are predatory can convince people to come and take from what they have stolen from the system, but then, does that benefit the majority of us? And if the majority of us feel we are contented with people who convert the treasury of a state to themselves, then they should be happy with the PDP and APC. But if they think they need a platform that would make a difference in their lives, then they should come and be part of SDP.
SDP does not have any godfather, no relationship whatsoever, it is just a platform for those who think there should be a change in this county. It is a platform that can be taken over by the majority of Nigerians if they can see what we see which is that the ruling parties, the two leading parties do not have any intention of representing our best interest in government. And the only way they can check that is to look at what has happened since 1999.
If you people think they are contented with what has been happening, then you vote for these two parties. But if you think your life has not improved, even if you don’t want to contest, you should encourage other people to be part of the third force in the SDP which has no godfathers. The direction can be determined by the majority of people who become part of it. We hope that the majority of the people, who will be part of this third force, will be those who have not been the leading actors in the other two parties so that it can actually represent a different true face to Nigerians.
Why now, barely two months to general elections? You think you can make impact?
That is left to Nigerians because 99% of Nigerians are not part of governance , from the federal to the state level. And watching the way the politics and the direction the Nigerian polity is going, the travel direction appears to be very destructive on both sides. And if these people are bent on pushing the country to the precipe, irrespective of the fact that they are only a minority part of us, if the majority elects that they should continue, then the majority should not complain that another platform has not been provided.
But why this late?
Talking about why now, I ask, why is it too late to rescue yourself? When you are at the point of death and someone is offering you assistance, do you tell him he is coming late to offer you medication? It is obvious the way the country is going, these two political parties will push the country to the precipe, we are almost at the point of being a failed state. So, if the two cannot be corrective regimes in averting the country being a failed state and someone is coming to offer an option, why should that be a question of time? A week is a long time in politics, how much more months. Two months, I think is eternity. It is never too late to do what is right. It is only late when the horse bolted, it can only be late if the election is over. It is never late.
Are you fielding a candidate in the presidential election?
My duty is to present a platform that can present an ideological selfless direction for governance to Nigerians. The function of individuals who will be candidates of the party at all levels will be determined by the people who subscribe to the idea of the party. This is a new idea we are floating. Our ability to present a candidate will depend on those who are not tainted, who subscribe to the ethos and ideology of evolving an egalitarian society. So, whoever becomes the candidates of the party cannot be determined by me. It can only be determined by the members.
The party, some have said, is opportunistic, that is, capitalizing on the misfortunes of other parties.
If you say we are opportunistic, seeing that the country is gradually becoming a failed state and we are cashing in on that to rescue the country, yes, we are opportunistic. If it is opportunistic to want to better your society, then we are. If it is opportunistic if, after watching since 1999, the power- brokers among these leading parties do not really believe in a selfless government, and we are saying we are a better option, yes, we are opportunistic. If it is opportunistic in saying those who have been ruling us for years have not had the answers to our problems and they are looking more of their own interest, yes we are opportunistic.
Some of these power- brokers in government used to or are still your friends.
Friends. Yes I have good friends in the two political parties. I can say that a lot of people who are participating in politics now became politicians fictitiously. They are not people who, 20,30 years ago, contributed to the struggle for democracy. They just happen to see an opportunity to be in politics and see it as job for the boys; with that mindset, such people are not likely to have any right or left ideology.
Most of the politicians of today see politics as business, not a means of evolving a fairer society. And if you don’t evolve a fairer society, the consequence of that is what we are witnessing in North-east Nigeria today. Education is critical in enlightening the populace , in knowing their rights, and not being susceptible to religious or even confused political beliefs.
So, education enables one to be discerning, to be able to make proper judgment, to do what is in your best interest, because it is foolish for one to accept N2000 to go and vote a candidate when, after the election, he will be struggling to send his child to school. But, if someone is properly educated, he will surely refuse the N2000 for a party offering policies that will alleviate and assist the person financially in terms of paying less for medical, education.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/nigeria-verge-failed-state-shonibare/#sthash.ZQfw17rj.dpuf
So we thought Social Democratic Party rightly describes our ethos and vision of a fairer society. SDP was not coined by the Babangida regime, it’s a generic name that has existed as a descriptive name used in labeling those people who believe in social democratic transformation of the society, and since we believe in the social upliftmen of the society, SDP perfectly fits into our political philosophy.
One of the criticisms against the SDP leadership is that it is bereft of ideas, otherwise, it would not have picked a used name?
There is a misconception about the name as to whether the name is new or old. As I said earlier, it is a generic name. It is like if you think bearing the name Joseph best describes you and your values. Meanwhile the name Joseph has been in use for over 2000 years. So, those who are saying that do not really understand because the name SDP was never coined by the Babangida regime.
SDP is a name to describe social democrats. And if one feels that his ideology is that of socialist democratic construction of the society, should he now go and coin a name that does not describe him? It is a name that best describes us. Really, an ideology is cast in gold in a fairer society. The idea about evolving society goes on from time to time depending on the exigency as the need of a particular society. I think those who are saying otherwise probably don’t know what politics is about.
Many people say most of your members are aggrieved members of a current political party. How true is the notion?
That cannot be right. The initial promoters of the SDP were Chief Falae, Dr Ezeife, Dr. Sadik Abubakar, Alhaji Sule Kumo.
How about Chief Osoba?
Chief Osoba and some members of APC in Ogun State have decided to be part of SDP and the rationale is that they see a platform firmly in place which is consistent with their political roots. Osoba has always been in the progressive fold in this country and was active in Afenifere. It was when Alliance for Democracy, A.D, which was the platform the Afenifere floated at that time, broke into two factions, and one faction was recognized by INEC and he was an elected governor, that they took the pragmatic decision to be part of the recognized A.D faction. So, where they are now is consistent with their political beginning. No, they are not coming to join SDP because they were dissatisfied with the APC. They could have gone to some other party, after all, there are several parties in the land. But they chose the group that is consistent with their political ideology.
Critics of the SDP say its promoters are spent forces. What do you have to say to them?
I look at the SDP as a new platform, the leaders you are referring to are leaders who are not competing for anything in this country.
May be that is why they are spent forces
Who is a force? Forces refer to the people who steal. So, how are they forces? Yes, we know the predatory nature of those leading us. I agree that those who are predatory can convince people to come and take from what they have stolen from the system, but then, does that benefit the majority of us? And if the majority of us feel we are contented with people who convert the treasury of a state to themselves, then they should be happy with the PDP and APC. But if they think they need a platform that would make a difference in their lives, then they should come and be part of SDP.
SDP does not have any godfather, no relationship whatsoever, it is just a platform for those who think there should be a change in this county. It is a platform that can be taken over by the majority of Nigerians if they can see what we see which is that the ruling parties, the two leading parties do not have any intention of representing our best interest in government. And the only way they can check that is to look at what has happened since 1999.
If you people think they are contented with what has been happening, then you vote for these two parties. But if you think your life has not improved, even if you don’t want to contest, you should encourage other people to be part of the third force in the SDP which has no godfathers. The direction can be determined by the majority of people who become part of it. We hope that the majority of the people, who will be part of this third force, will be those who have not been the leading actors in the other two parties so that it can actually represent a different true face to Nigerians.
Why now, barely two months to general elections? You think you can make impact?
That is left to Nigerians because 99% of Nigerians are not part of governance , from the federal to the state level. And watching the way the politics and the direction the Nigerian polity is going, the travel direction appears to be very destructive on both sides. And if these people are bent on pushing the country to the precipe, irrespective of the fact that they are only a minority part of us, if the majority elects that they should continue, then the majority should not complain that another platform has not been provided.
But why this late?
Talking about why now, I ask, why is it too late to rescue yourself? When you are at the point of death and someone is offering you assistance, do you tell him he is coming late to offer you medication? It is obvious the way the country is going, these two political parties will push the country to the precipe, we are almost at the point of being a failed state. So, if the two cannot be corrective regimes in averting the country being a failed state and someone is coming to offer an option, why should that be a question of time? A week is a long time in politics, how much more months. Two months, I think is eternity. It is never too late to do what is right. It is only late when the horse bolted, it can only be late if the election is over. It is never late.
Are you fielding a candidate in the presidential election?
My duty is to present a platform that can present an ideological selfless direction for governance to Nigerians. The function of individuals who will be candidates of the party at all levels will be determined by the people who subscribe to the idea of the party. This is a new idea we are floating. Our ability to present a candidate will depend on those who are not tainted, who subscribe to the ethos and ideology of evolving an egalitarian society. So, whoever becomes the candidates of the party cannot be determined by me. It can only be determined by the members.
The party, some have said, is opportunistic, that is, capitalizing on the misfortunes of other parties.
If you say we are opportunistic, seeing that the country is gradually becoming a failed state and we are cashing in on that to rescue the country, yes, we are opportunistic. If it is opportunistic to want to better your society, then we are. If it is opportunistic if, after watching since 1999, the power- brokers among these leading parties do not really believe in a selfless government, and we are saying we are a better option, yes, we are opportunistic. If it is opportunistic in saying those who have been ruling us for years have not had the answers to our problems and they are looking more of their own interest, yes we are opportunistic.
Some of these power- brokers in government used to or are still your friends.
Friends. Yes I have good friends in the two political parties. I can say that a lot of people who are participating in politics now became politicians fictitiously. They are not people who, 20,30 years ago, contributed to the struggle for democracy. They just happen to see an opportunity to be in politics and see it as job for the boys; with that mindset, such people are not likely to have any right or left ideology.
Most of the politicians of today see politics as business, not a means of evolving a fairer society. And if you don’t evolve a fairer society, the consequence of that is what we are witnessing in North-east Nigeria today. Education is critical in enlightening the populace , in knowing their rights, and not being susceptible to religious or even confused political beliefs.
So, education enables one to be discerning, to be able to make proper judgment, to do what is in your best interest, because it is foolish for one to accept N2000 to go and vote a candidate when, after the election, he will be struggling to send his child to school. But, if someone is properly educated, he will surely refuse the N2000 for a party offering policies that will alleviate and assist the person financially in terms of paying less for medical, education.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/nigeria-verge-failed-state-shonibare/#sthash.ZQfw17rj.dpuf
We
thought of a name for a political vehicle that would not be labeled as
regional but having an ideological direction that is consistent about
our view of an egalitarian society, and we played with several names
until we reached a conclusion on a name that is generic, that is not
derived from any zone of the federation and not coined by any Nigerian.
So we thought Social Democratic Party rightly describes our ethos and vision of a fairer society. SDP was not coined by the Babangida regime, it’s a generic name that has existed as a descriptive name used in labeling those people who believe in social democratic transformation of the society, and since we believe in the social upliftmen of the society, SDP perfectly fits into our political philosophy.
One of the criticisms against the SDP leadership is that it is bereft of ideas, otherwise, it would not have picked a used name?
There is a misconception about the name as to whether the name is new or old. As I said earlier, it is a generic name. It is like if you think bearing the name Joseph best describes you and your values. Meanwhile the name Joseph has been in use for over 2000 years. So, those who are saying that do not really understand because the name SDP was never coined by the Babangida regime.
SDP is a name to describe social democrats. And if one feels that his ideology is that of socialist democratic construction of the society, should he now go and coin a name that does not describe him? It is a name that best describes us. Really, an ideology is cast in gold in a fairer society. The idea about evolving society goes on from time to time depending on the exigency as the need of a particular society. I think those who are saying otherwise probably don’t know what politics is about.
Many people say most of your members are aggrieved members of a current political party. How true is the notion?
That cannot be right. The initial promoters of the SDP were Chief Falae, Dr Ezeife, Dr. Sadik Abubakar, Alhaji Sule Kumo.
How about Chief Osoba?
Chief Osoba and some members of APC in Ogun State have decided to be part of SDP and the rationale is that they see a platform firmly in place which is consistent with their political roots. Osoba has always been in the progressive fold in this country and was active in Afenifere. It was when Alliance for Democracy, A.D, which was the platform the Afenifere floated at that time, broke into two factions, and one faction was recognized by INEC and he was an elected governor, that they took the pragmatic decision to be part of the recognized A.D faction. So, where they are now is consistent with their political beginning. No, they are not coming to join SDP because they were dissatisfied with the APC. They could have gone to some other party, after all, there are several parties in the land. But they chose the group that is consistent with their political ideology.
Critics of the SDP say its promoters are spent forces. What do you have to say to them?
I look at the SDP as a new platform, the leaders you are referring to are leaders who are not competing for anything in this country.
May be that is why they are spent forces
Who is a force? Forces refer to the people who steal. So, how are they forces? Yes, we know the predatory nature of those leading us. I agree that those who are predatory can convince people to come and take from what they have stolen from the system, but then, does that benefit the majority of us? And if the majority of us feel we are contented with people who convert the treasury of a state to themselves, then they should be happy with the PDP and APC. But if they think they need a platform that would make a difference in their lives, then they should come and be part of SDP.
SDP does not have any godfather, no relationship whatsoever, it is just a platform for those who think there should be a change in this county. It is a platform that can be taken over by the majority of Nigerians if they can see what we see which is that the ruling parties, the two leading parties do not have any intention of representing our best interest in government. And the only way they can check that is to look at what has happened since 1999.
If you people think they are contented with what has been happening, then you vote for these two parties. But if you think your life has not improved, even if you don’t want to contest, you should encourage other people to be part of the third force in the SDP which has no godfathers. The direction can be determined by the majority of people who become part of it. We hope that the majority of the people, who will be part of this third force, will be those who have not been the leading actors in the other two parties so that it can actually represent a different true face to Nigerians.
Why now, barely two months to general elections? You think you can make impact?
That is left to Nigerians because 99% of Nigerians are not part of governance , from the federal to the state level. And watching the way the politics and the direction the Nigerian polity is going, the travel direction appears to be very destructive on both sides. And if these people are bent on pushing the country to the precipe, irrespective of the fact that they are only a minority part of us, if the majority elects that they should continue, then the majority should not complain that another platform has not been provided.
But why this late?
Talking about why now, I ask, why is it too late to rescue yourself? When you are at the point of death and someone is offering you assistance, do you tell him he is coming late to offer you medication? It is obvious the way the country is going, these two political parties will push the country to the precipe, we are almost at the point of being a failed state. So, if the two cannot be corrective regimes in averting the country being a failed state and someone is coming to offer an option, why should that be a question of time? A week is a long time in politics, how much more months. Two months, I think is eternity. It is never too late to do what is right. It is only late when the horse bolted, it can only be late if the election is over. It is never late.
Are you fielding a candidate in the presidential election?
My duty is to present a platform that can present an ideological selfless direction for governance to Nigerians. The function of individuals who will be candidates of the party at all levels will be determined by the people who subscribe to the idea of the party. This is a new idea we are floating. Our ability to present a candidate will depend on those who are not tainted, who subscribe to the ethos and ideology of evolving an egalitarian society. So, whoever becomes the candidates of the party cannot be determined by me. It can only be determined by the members.
The party, some have said, is opportunistic, that is, capitalizing on the misfortunes of other parties.
If you say we are opportunistic, seeing that the country is gradually becoming a failed state and we are cashing in on that to rescue the country, yes, we are opportunistic. If it is opportunistic to want to better your society, then we are. If it is opportunistic if, after watching since 1999, the power- brokers among these leading parties do not really believe in a selfless government, and we are saying we are a better option, yes, we are opportunistic. If it is opportunistic in saying those who have been ruling us for years have not had the answers to our problems and they are looking more of their own interest, yes we are opportunistic.
Some of these power- brokers in government used to or are still your friends.
Friends. Yes I have good friends in the two political parties. I can say that a lot of people who are participating in politics now became politicians fictitiously. They are not people who, 20,30 years ago, contributed to the struggle for democracy. They just happen to see an opportunity to be in politics and see it as job for the boys; with that mindset, such people are not likely to have any right or left ideology.
Most of the politicians of today see politics as business, not a means of evolving a fairer society. And if you don’t evolve a fairer society, the consequence of that is what we are witnessing in North-east Nigeria today. Education is critical in enlightening the populace , in knowing their rights, and not being susceptible to religious or even confused political beliefs.
So, education enables one to be discerning, to be able to make proper judgment, to do what is in your best interest, because it is foolish for one to accept N2000 to go and vote a candidate when, after the election, he will be struggling to send his child to school. But, if someone is properly educated, he will surely refuse the N2000 for a party offering policies that will alleviate and assist the person financially in terms of paying less for medical, education.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/nigeria-verge-failed-state-shonibare/#sthash.ZQfw17rj.dpuf
So we thought Social Democratic Party rightly describes our ethos and vision of a fairer society. SDP was not coined by the Babangida regime, it’s a generic name that has existed as a descriptive name used in labeling those people who believe in social democratic transformation of the society, and since we believe in the social upliftmen of the society, SDP perfectly fits into our political philosophy.
One of the criticisms against the SDP leadership is that it is bereft of ideas, otherwise, it would not have picked a used name?
There is a misconception about the name as to whether the name is new or old. As I said earlier, it is a generic name. It is like if you think bearing the name Joseph best describes you and your values. Meanwhile the name Joseph has been in use for over 2000 years. So, those who are saying that do not really understand because the name SDP was never coined by the Babangida regime.
SDP is a name to describe social democrats. And if one feels that his ideology is that of socialist democratic construction of the society, should he now go and coin a name that does not describe him? It is a name that best describes us. Really, an ideology is cast in gold in a fairer society. The idea about evolving society goes on from time to time depending on the exigency as the need of a particular society. I think those who are saying otherwise probably don’t know what politics is about.
Many people say most of your members are aggrieved members of a current political party. How true is the notion?
That cannot be right. The initial promoters of the SDP were Chief Falae, Dr Ezeife, Dr. Sadik Abubakar, Alhaji Sule Kumo.
How about Chief Osoba?
Chief Osoba and some members of APC in Ogun State have decided to be part of SDP and the rationale is that they see a platform firmly in place which is consistent with their political roots. Osoba has always been in the progressive fold in this country and was active in Afenifere. It was when Alliance for Democracy, A.D, which was the platform the Afenifere floated at that time, broke into two factions, and one faction was recognized by INEC and he was an elected governor, that they took the pragmatic decision to be part of the recognized A.D faction. So, where they are now is consistent with their political beginning. No, they are not coming to join SDP because they were dissatisfied with the APC. They could have gone to some other party, after all, there are several parties in the land. But they chose the group that is consistent with their political ideology.
Critics of the SDP say its promoters are spent forces. What do you have to say to them?
I look at the SDP as a new platform, the leaders you are referring to are leaders who are not competing for anything in this country.
May be that is why they are spent forces
Who is a force? Forces refer to the people who steal. So, how are they forces? Yes, we know the predatory nature of those leading us. I agree that those who are predatory can convince people to come and take from what they have stolen from the system, but then, does that benefit the majority of us? And if the majority of us feel we are contented with people who convert the treasury of a state to themselves, then they should be happy with the PDP and APC. But if they think they need a platform that would make a difference in their lives, then they should come and be part of SDP.
SDP does not have any godfather, no relationship whatsoever, it is just a platform for those who think there should be a change in this county. It is a platform that can be taken over by the majority of Nigerians if they can see what we see which is that the ruling parties, the two leading parties do not have any intention of representing our best interest in government. And the only way they can check that is to look at what has happened since 1999.
If you people think they are contented with what has been happening, then you vote for these two parties. But if you think your life has not improved, even if you don’t want to contest, you should encourage other people to be part of the third force in the SDP which has no godfathers. The direction can be determined by the majority of people who become part of it. We hope that the majority of the people, who will be part of this third force, will be those who have not been the leading actors in the other two parties so that it can actually represent a different true face to Nigerians.
Why now, barely two months to general elections? You think you can make impact?
That is left to Nigerians because 99% of Nigerians are not part of governance , from the federal to the state level. And watching the way the politics and the direction the Nigerian polity is going, the travel direction appears to be very destructive on both sides. And if these people are bent on pushing the country to the precipe, irrespective of the fact that they are only a minority part of us, if the majority elects that they should continue, then the majority should not complain that another platform has not been provided.
But why this late?
Talking about why now, I ask, why is it too late to rescue yourself? When you are at the point of death and someone is offering you assistance, do you tell him he is coming late to offer you medication? It is obvious the way the country is going, these two political parties will push the country to the precipe, we are almost at the point of being a failed state. So, if the two cannot be corrective regimes in averting the country being a failed state and someone is coming to offer an option, why should that be a question of time? A week is a long time in politics, how much more months. Two months, I think is eternity. It is never too late to do what is right. It is only late when the horse bolted, it can only be late if the election is over. It is never late.
Are you fielding a candidate in the presidential election?
My duty is to present a platform that can present an ideological selfless direction for governance to Nigerians. The function of individuals who will be candidates of the party at all levels will be determined by the people who subscribe to the idea of the party. This is a new idea we are floating. Our ability to present a candidate will depend on those who are not tainted, who subscribe to the ethos and ideology of evolving an egalitarian society. So, whoever becomes the candidates of the party cannot be determined by me. It can only be determined by the members.
The party, some have said, is opportunistic, that is, capitalizing on the misfortunes of other parties.
If you say we are opportunistic, seeing that the country is gradually becoming a failed state and we are cashing in on that to rescue the country, yes, we are opportunistic. If it is opportunistic to want to better your society, then we are. If it is opportunistic if, after watching since 1999, the power- brokers among these leading parties do not really believe in a selfless government, and we are saying we are a better option, yes, we are opportunistic. If it is opportunistic in saying those who have been ruling us for years have not had the answers to our problems and they are looking more of their own interest, yes we are opportunistic.
Some of these power- brokers in government used to or are still your friends.
Friends. Yes I have good friends in the two political parties. I can say that a lot of people who are participating in politics now became politicians fictitiously. They are not people who, 20,30 years ago, contributed to the struggle for democracy. They just happen to see an opportunity to be in politics and see it as job for the boys; with that mindset, such people are not likely to have any right or left ideology.
Most of the politicians of today see politics as business, not a means of evolving a fairer society. And if you don’t evolve a fairer society, the consequence of that is what we are witnessing in North-east Nigeria today. Education is critical in enlightening the populace , in knowing their rights, and not being susceptible to religious or even confused political beliefs.
So, education enables one to be discerning, to be able to make proper judgment, to do what is in your best interest, because it is foolish for one to accept N2000 to go and vote a candidate when, after the election, he will be struggling to send his child to school. But, if someone is properly educated, he will surely refuse the N2000 for a party offering policies that will alleviate and assist the person financially in terms of paying less for medical, education.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/nigeria-verge-failed-state-shonibare/#sthash.ZQfw17rj.dpuf
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