Supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Monday embarked on a road walk in Lagos State to canvass votes for their presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo and other candidates of the party.
The supporters initially converged at the SDP Secretariat in Yaba at around 8 am from where they moved to Ebute Meta, Obalende, Iyana-Oworo, Maryland, Ikorodu Road then to Computer Village in Ikeja, soliciting votes for their candidates.
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Addressing the residents in Obalende and other areas, the vice-presidential candidate of the party Mr.Yusuf Buhari, urged those who were yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to take advantage of the deadline extension by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do so.
Buhari said the party chose ‘Walk for Democracy’ as part of the Lagos presidential campaign rally to reach out to the grassroots and educate voters on why they need to vote for SDP as the best alternative that would transform Nigeria.
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Also speaking with journalists, the Deputy Director General for SDP presidential campaign council, Mrs. Khadija Okunnu-Lamidi, said the party is one of the oldest political parties in the country, urging Nigerians to vote for Adebayo as the next president.
Okunnu-Lamidi said “This is the party that gives mandate to Late MKO Abiola. The democracy at that period was truncated. This is thirty years after and we are in 2023, as luck would have it, we now have another candidate who understands the issues, and how to govern.
” He is very intelligent and well-educated. He is very much in tune with the reality of the grassroots, and that’s what is important, most of the candidates we have now have been in the system and are corrupted by the system, we can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results.
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“This is why it’s important that Prince Adewole Adebayo, who is the people’s choice, should be given a chance to govern the country”.
She said that the party will get rid of poverty in the country, saying that if poverty was eradicated, other issues like unemployment, insecurity and other challenges facing the country would be a thing of the past.
Okunnu-Lamidi said “Our campaign is all about farewell to poverty. This farewell to poverty is the same theme that MKO Abiola had, but guess what, thirty years later, poverty is getting worse, insecurity now has a grandchild called kidnapping, and all metrics you can use to measure poverty have increased. The number of people and the level of poverty itself also increased.
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”We are here to eradicate poverty and insecurity. These things, once we take care of them, solve the whole issue, solve healthcare problems, and give dignity back to the citizens. Where there is dignity of lives, our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will increase. We have the number, we just need to get productivity out of them. A hungry man can’t work and strategize and these are the things to fix in order to boost productivity and boost the economic status of everyone.
”I urge Nigerians not to sell their votes but vote their conscience and presidential candidate that would assist in reposing confidence in Nigerians”.
She added: “We expect Nigerians to make a choice devoid of money, as you know the money that is being spent in politics, most of the politicians are not spending their money, rather they spend your money to campaign to you, to continue doing the same things. I expect Nigerians to listen to issues and stop getting swayed by the theatre they are bringing into it.
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”They are not talking about poverty, they are not talking about how to address the problem of out-of-school children, they are not talking about finding lasting solutions to the flooding in Nigeria, they are not talking about the availability of potable water, good healthcare. What they are talking about is to keep dancing, keep thinking that politics is a game or theatre or a clown show. No, it is real because it affects your life.
”I am glad that we are finally getting to the issues and we are finally leaving that nonsense behind and bringing someone like Prince Adewole Adebayo who is young. Our candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo is 51 years old and he is capable of turning things for the better in Nigeria “.
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The walk was led by the 0residential candidate of SDP, Prince Adewole Adebayo, running mate, Mr. Yusuf Buhari, the Deputy Director-General of SDP Presidential Campaign Council, Mrs. Khadija Okunu- Lamidi and other Chieftains.
The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Suleiman, has responded to those calling him to declare interest in the 2027 governorship race, saying it’s not the right time considering the fact that a lot of works are to be done.
Recall that Bauchi State Coalition of Youth and Civil Society Groups, during a press conference held earlier this week, urged the Speaker to consider contesting for the top seat, citing his experience and achievements in public service.
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Responding to the call in a statement made available to INFO DAILY, the Speaker, who appreciated the confidence reposed in him by the coalition, however, maintained that governance and the fulfillment of his current mandate remain his immediate priority.
“While we sincerely appreciate the compliments and support expressed by the Bauchi State Coalition of Youth and Civil Society Groups, we believe that now is not the appropriate time to declare interest in any political position, including the 2027 gubernatorial race,” he said.
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He added, “This is not the time. There is still a lot to do. Our primary focus at this moment is on representation and governance, serving the interests of our constituents faithfully.”
The Speaker stated that when the time is right to pursue such political ambitions, it would be done transparently and in consultation with party leaders, political allies, and the people of Bauchi State.
The National Opposition Coalition Group, led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the registration of a new political party—the All Democratic Alliance.
The application, dated June 19, was acknowledged by INEC on Friday, signalling the coalition’s determination to float a new platform instead of aligning with any existing political party.
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The formation of ADA, backed by some other key political heavyweights, including former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats and former aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, seeks to capitalise on mounting public dissatisfaction and political realignments to stop President Bola Tinubu at the next poll.
The application comes just a few days after INEC warned political groups that no amount of pressure or public sentiment would override the need for strict compliance with constitutional and electoral guidelines.
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The commission reiterated that party registration remains a rigorous constitutional process—not merely a political declaration.
With Thursday’s application, the national opposition coalition has now put an end to weeks of speculation about whether it would revive a dormant political platform or launch a fresh one altogether.
A copy of the application letter, obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, was jointly signed by the association’s Protem National Chairman, Chief Akin A. Rickets, and Protem National Secretary, Abdullahi Elayo.
The letter partly read, “We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, as a political party.
“This is a sequel to the decision taken by the Nigerian National Coalition Group to sponsor our association for full registration.
“The name of the party shall be All Democratic Alliance with ADA as our acronym and ‘Justice for All’ as our slogan.”
The coalition also submitted relevant documents, including the party’s constitution, manifesto, logo, and minutes of its foundational meetings.
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The party’s symbol prominently features a maize (corn), which the applicants say represents abundance, resilience, and sustenance—core ideals they hope to promote.
“We have further attached our manifesto encompassing details of our party ideology and our constitution providing the legal framework that defines our identity, structures, and organisation,” the letter continued.
The resignation letter partly read, “I humbly write to your noble office to convey to you my resignation as the administrator, Ahoada East LGA.
“My sincere gratitude goes to the government of Rivers State and the good people of Ahoada East for finding me worthy to serve as Ahaoda East LGA from 11th day of April 2025 to 20th day of July 2025.”
Meanwhile there are speculations that Ihemnacho resigned to pave the way for him to contest the forth-coming LG elections in the state, though this has not been verified.