2023: Tinubu won’t get automatic ticket if he joins our party – SDP
Social Democratic Party (SDP) has said that there would be no automatic ticket for the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other aspirants who may be intending to contest for elective positions on the party’s platform.
The Acting National Chairman of the party, Chief Supo Shonibare, made this declaration at a news conference in Abuja, the country’s capital, on Thursday.
He however noted that the party would assist the aspirations of perceived aggrieved aspirants from other parties.
There have been speculations around that the APC chieftain may likely decamp to SDP if the ruling party’s presidential primary does not favor him.
The acting chairman noted that SDP was ready to welcome members of other parties who felt cheated in their parties, but they should be ready to follow the conditions given to them by the party.
He also made clarification that the APC national leader was not a registered member of the SDP.
“On the issue of Asiwaju Tinubu, the last time I checked, he was not a member of the SDP. I checked on the list because the membership list of our party as INEC has required, has already been submitted by our state chapters to us in Abuja.
“His name is not among those who are members of our party in Lagos State. That’s all I can say, he’s not a member of SDP,” he said.
“Yes, we welcome anyone who felt cheated by other political parties but must be consistent with integrity.
“If he (Tinubu) comes, it won’t be automatic, what we would emphasise is consistency with integrity within the public officer.
“Also anyone who is controversial, rated low or with baggage, who doesn’t have integrity will not be allowed. SDP leadership does not want the party to be an opportunistic vehicle,” he said.
Shonibare maintained that only individuals cheated in their parties would be welcomed, and not those in controversial circumstances
“In instances where we’ve seen great injustices to an individual, who we feel is not coming to us with baggage, yes that individual will be welcome to SDP.
“But we won’t welcome anyone who we feel has a pending court case. We won’t welcome anyone that has been convicted, even if the person is actually now appealing that conviction.
“So we will try to ensure that those who we will welcome into our party, are men and women of integrity, making SDP to be a succour for those who have been wrongly dealt with in their political parties.
“Provided those who are coming themselves have displayed integrity and honour in the way and manner they themselves have conducted themselves in government,” he said.
