The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appointed Hon. Femi Olaniyi (Ferrari), its former Lagos State Chairman, as Acting Chairman in the state.
The party disclosed this in a letter dated Jan. 25 and signed by the SDP National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Gabam and the National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye.
The letter, titled “Letter of Appointment” read in part: “Sequel to the resignation of Ms Dabiraoluwa Adeyinka, the then Lagos State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, the National Working Committee of our great party has thoroughly considered the situation and has approved your appointment as the Lagos state Acting Chairman of the Party.
“This appointment is based on your wealth of experience and commitment to the party. You are therefore enjoined to put in all effort to ensure the success of the party in Lagos State especially at this crucial time that the general election is at the corner.
“You are also mandated to report all your activities in the state to the Office of the National Chairman of the party at least once every week. Congratulations,”
In a related letter on same day, issued by Gabam and Agunloye and address to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the NWC introduced Olaniyi as the party’s acting chairman to the electoral body.
“We therefore, humbly urge you to accord him all necessary corporation and to urgently transmit this letter to the Lagos State Electoral Commission to enable him carry out his duties without hindrances,” it read.
Responding through a statement on Thursday in Lagos, Olaniyi, who commended the SDP NWC, pledged to reposition the party to record good outing in the forthcoming elections.
He said that the mandate to reconstitute the structure of the party in the state was in top gear.
According to him, members of SDP in the state are intact and have not followed Adeyinka-led excos to any political party, “rather, they have remained resolute and resolved to win elections with/for the SDP in Lagos State.”
“Affirmatively, all our party Candidates under the SDP of Lagos State Chapter are in a better shape and also of a great advantage to win the respective positions they contesting for under the umbrella of SDP.
“The support for all our candidates of Lagos State chapter under SDP is 100 per cent guaranteed, while the structure of our great party in Lagos State is well balanced and active as party.
Adeyinka on Jan.23 dumped SDP and led about 15 state executive committee members to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring support for the PDP Governorship Candidate, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran.
Adeyinka said that the decision was based on personalities with the tickets of the PDP in the state. (shadanpamarepoters)
