The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has distanced itself from the group known as the Alliance for Transformation Mandate (ATM), declaring that the group does not represent the party and is not recognized by its national leadership.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, condemned the group’s recent “World Press Conference,” where ATM members referred to themselves as “footsoldiers” of the SDP.
“The attention of the national leadership of our great party, the SDP, has been drawn to a ‘World Press Conference’ by a group named Alliance for Transformation Mandate (ATM), which described its members as ‘footsoldiers’ for the Social Democratic Party,” Aiyenigba said in the statement.
He clarified that the group is “obviously sponsored” and “assembled to serve the personal interests of its backers.”
The SDP, Aiyenigba stressed, does not recognize the group, and any statements made by ATM should be regarded as “null and void.”
Aiyenigba also reminded the public that only the National Chairman and National Publicity Secretary are authorized to represent the SDP in official matters.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to democratic values, discipline, and structure, highlighting its strong support for its 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.
“The national leadership and the generality of SDP members recognize Prince Adewole Adebayo as the best candidate in the last presidential election.”
“He has excellently represented the ideology of the party during and after the 2023 elections. There is no conflict between the party and Prince Adebayo. In fact, we express a vote of confidence in his capacity and leadership,” Aiyenigba stated.
Concluding the statement, Aiyenigba urged the public to disregard any claims made by ATM, describing the group as “fictitious and unauthorized.”
“The national leadership emphatically declares the ‘ATM’ as an unknown group to the party and urges Nigerians to be rightly guided,” Aiyenigba added.
