SDP Crisis: Ajegena Takes Over Party Structure In Nasrawa

…says ‘We’ll Take the State in 2027’

The Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Nasrawa State, Barr. Ibrahim Likita Ajegena, on Monday assumed control of the party’s secretariat in Lafia, declaring that the party is united and ready to deliver votes for it’s presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo and gubernatorial candidate of the state, retired Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammad Abubakar Adamu in the 2027 general elections.

Ajegena, who spoke against the backdrop of the internal leadership crisis that hit the party in the state, dismissed reports that there were crisis within the SDP, describing the situation as the activities of some aggrieved members who, resorted to do the ‘spoiler’ game, having failed to achieve their objectives.

He explained that the Social Democratic party had continued to operate through its zonal offices across the state despite the disagreement, now decided to take back its state secretariat in Lafia.

“There is no crisis in the SDP. There are only some aggrieved members who feel that they could not do anything but to become spoilers.

“We have been operating through our zonal offices in the state, but today, we have decided to take back our office located along Jos Road, opposite the Catholic Church,” Ajegena said.

The SDP Chairman said the taking control of the secretariat marked the fresh phase for the party’s readiness to prepare for the 2027 elections.

New Telegraph reports that Ajegena’s assumption of office came barely two days after the SDP conducted a substitution primary in Nasrawa State, where former IGP, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, affirmed as the party’s gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 election.

Adamu’s emergence followed the withdrawal of the party’s earlier candidate, Musa Adamu Angba. The primary was conducted across the state’s 13 local government areas, with 28,637 delegates participated in the exercise through voice vote.

The former police chief was the sole candidate in the exercise and was subsequently declared the party’s flag bearer after securing the highest number of valid votes.

Speaking on the political significance of the exercise, Ajegena said the large crowd witnessed during Saturday’s primary was evidence that the SDP had gained considerable acceptance among the people of the state.

According to him, the turnout should be interpreted as an indication of what the party could achieve in 2027.

“What we witnessed on Saturday is a sign of victory. The crowd was massive and it showed that the people are with us.

“We are battle-ready for 2027. The SDP is prepared to take Nasarawa State, and we are also prepared to take the presidency,” he declared.

Ajegena said the party would build on the momentum generated by the substitution primary to strengthen its structures and mobilise supporters across the 13 local government areas.

He maintained that the SDP was no longer interested in the disagreements that had characterised its internal affairs, stressing that members must now concentrate on the larger objective of winning the 2027 elections.

The chairman said the party would continue to welcome genuine members while urging those who had grievances to resolve them through the appropriate party channels rather than engaging in activities capable of weakening the party.

He also expressed confidence in the capacity of Adamu to lead the party’s governorship campaign, saying the former IGP’s emergence had provided the SDP with a strong platform to challenge the ruling party and other political forces in the state.

Adamu, after his emergence, thanked the party for conducting what he described as a successful primary and pledged to work towards improving Nasarawa State if elected governor in 2027.

The SDP chairman said the party would now focus on taking its campaign to the grassroots, insisting that the objective was not merely to participate in the 2027 election but to win.

“We have a responsibility to the people of Nasarawa State. We are not going to be distracted by the activities of people who do not mean well for the party.
“Our focus is 2027. We are ready, we are organised and we are battle-ready,” Ajegena said.