The Kogi State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is currently embroiled in a significant internal crisis, marked by the emergence of parallel executive committees.
This development has raised concerns about the party’s unity and its prospects in upcoming elections.
On Wednesday, a faction within the SDP convened a congress at the party’s state secretariat in Lokoja, during which they elected a new 12-member executive committee.
Hon. Ahmed Attah, a former zonal leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was appointed as the new chairman, with Alhaji Idris Sofada assuming the role of state secretary.
The congress reportedly had the participation of 3,890 delegates from all 21 local government areas of the state, and officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present to monitor the proceedings.
In his inaugural address, Attah expressed his commitment to fairness and justice, emphasizing his intention to reposition the SDP for success in future elections.
He acknowledged the efforts of INEC, the planning committee, and security personnel in facilitating a successful congress, stating, “This has positioned SDP as the party to beat in the 2028 governorship election.”
Contrarily, another faction led by Moses Peter Oricha, whose executive tenure is valid until April 2026, has dismissed the newly conducted congress as “illegal, null and void.”
Oricha accused the organizers of bypassing due process and proceeding despite an ongoing court case.
He criticized the faction for their actions, labeling them as “faceless and sponsored by paymasters to cause chaos in our party.”
Oricha called on the public, security agencies, and INEC to disregard the outcomes of the congress, viewing it as an attempt to destabilize the party.
This recent development adds to the existing challenges within the Kogi SDP. Previously, the party faced internal strife when its executives threatened to expel the deputy governorship candidate, Sam Abenemi, accusing him of causing internal crises.
The state chairman, Moses Peter Oricha, emphasized that the party would not tolerate actions aimed at undermining its stability.
The emergence of parallel executives and ongoing internal disputes pose significant challenges for the SDP in Kogi State.
Such divisions could weaken the party’s cohesion and effectiveness, potentially impacting its performance in future elections.
Observers express concern that if these issues are not promptly and amicably resolved, the party’s ability to present a united front against opposition parties may be compromised.
