The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on Friday clarified the circumstances surrounding their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, stating that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification followed speculations over the purpose of the meeting after leaders of opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
The explanation was given when party leaders and other opposition figures were hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo.
Speaking during the gathering, the National Chairman of the SDP, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with the president was held on Wednesday following an invitation from the presidency and lasted about an hour.
He explained that the discussion centred on the need to strengthen electoral laws and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Gombe said, “On Wednesday, we met with Mr President following his invitation. We went to the Iftar and we are proud of the party leaders and the IPAC chairman. It was an hour to sit with the President and remind him about the need to have a transparent, free, fair and credible election in 2027.
“Democracy, from its definition, is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. I think it is the government’s responsibility to listen to Nigerians and do the needful by having transparent electoral laws that can guarantee and usher in good governance.
“We know the situation of our country. I want to use this opportunity to reiterate that we in the SDP are always for democracy and we will ever remain Democrats. So, we are calling on the government and particularly members of our National Assembly to heed the cries of Nigerians.”
The SDP chair also expressed concerns that the voters’ apathy witnessed at the just concluded polls in the Federal Capital Territory was a testament that Nigerians are gradually losing hope in the electoral process.
“As we can see, just about a month ago, there was an election in the FCT. But because Nigerians lost confidence in the election process, only about 7 per cent came out to vote in the AMAC election. Yet, AMAC is a cosmopolitan area council in our country and the most enlightened.
“So, we need to have a rethink and be focused. We have to do the needful to guarantee a credible, free, and fair process for the survival of our country,” he urged.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr Yusuf Dantalle, said the council used the opportunity to raise concerns about aspects of the proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues relating to indirect primaries and mandatory electronic transmission of results.
According to him, political parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary.
Dantalle said, “We were at the Villa some days ago on the invitation of our father, the president of the nation. And we were very happy that he gave us that compliment. We raised the issues of our indirect primaries and mandatory electronic transmission and how it may stifle the process.
“Otherwise, we tried to appeal to him, even though he is not the legislature, but as the president of the ruling party, who has the majority of the members of the National Assembly to see how he can intervene.
“What we want to see is that democracy thrives better under his leadership, because nobody, not even any of the past presidents up to this point, has suffered for democracy, persecuted and prosecuted like himself.”
Dantalle also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure strict adherence to electoral guidelines as the next election cycle approaches.
He added, “So, I believe that he (Tinubu) will listen to us, and then do the needful by intervening to see where necessary amendments are required. Nigeria expects much from somebody who has been an actor in the democratic space for this period.
“We also use this opportunity to call on INEC that much is expected of it, because as the 2027 elections approach, the expectations of Nigerians are so high. So we should play by the rules.”
Earlier in his remarks, the SDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die affair.
According to him, the ultimate goal of the democratic process should be the progress of Nigeria rather than personal political victory.
Adebayo said, “The president has a duty, just as I have a duty, to ensure Nigerians are motivated to vote and participate in the democratic process.
“I will plead with President Tinubu. He doesn’t have to win the election, just as I don’t have to win. The only entity that must win is Nigeria.”
The PUNCH