The Social Development Party has distanced itself from the recently announced executive council led by Ahmed Attah, declaring that the individuals in the faction are not recognized members of the party in Kogi state.
In a chat with the press in Lokoja on Friday, the Chairman of the party, Peter Oricha, emphasized that he remains the legitimate leader of the SDP in the state, as outlined in the party’s constitution, which grants a four-year term for elected officials.
Oricha clarified that those claiming membership of the party had not resigned from their previous political affiliations. He explained that the group arrived alongside Muritala Ajaka, the SDP’s candidate in the 2023 Kogi governorship election, as part of a supporters’ group, not as official party members.
“To the best of my knowledge, it was only Muritala Ajaka, our party’s candidate in the last governorship election, and his running mate, Ranti Abenemi, who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), respectively, to join us,” Oricha stated. “The records are there for anyone to see. Therefore, we do not have these individuals in our register. They should provide proof of their membership if they have any. As the custodian of the party’s records, I can confirm that their names do not appear in our register.”
He also highlighted that the same register, which is in the possession of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), does not include their names, further dismissing the claims. Oricha labeled them as “impostors” who were attempting to deceive the public.
“My advice to them is to take the honorable path and stop aligning with desperate politicians who seek to use them for selfish gains. It won’t be long before the law catches up with them,” he warned. “If they truly want to join the party, they should follow the proper process instead of circumventing it. It’s only thieves who enter through the roof.”
Oricha also reaffirmed his legitimacy as the state chairman of SDP, noting that he was duly elected on April 9, 2022. “To the best of my knowledge, the constitution provides for a four-year tenure for an elected chairman, so I remain the authentic chairman of the SDP in Kogi state, and my tenure will end in 2026,” he said.
He also reflected on his long-standing involvement with the party, recounting his initial entry into the SDP in 2014 when he became the party chairman for Ajaokuta local government area, while also serving as the Chairman of the Chairmen Forum in Kogi Central Senatorial District.
The list of the controversial executive members, whose legitimacy is in question, includes Ahmed Attah (Chairman), Yusuf Agomi Ojapa (Deputy Chairman), Alh. Idris A. Sofada (Secretary), Emife Ronke Mercy (Women Leader), Zakaria Ahmed Buhari (Youth Leader), Barr. Dugbanya David (Legal Adviser), and Adutu Ojomebyo David (Organizing Secretary), among others. According to Oricha, these individuals have not resigned from their previous political affiliations, and their names are still absent from the SDP’s official register.
