SDP splits further as Lagos chapter rejects NEC’s endorsement of Buhari

The Lagos State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has turned against the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari by its National Executive Council (NEC) by endorsing the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The party on Wednesday said it aligned with the decision of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere in endorsing Atiku for the presidential election holding tomorrow.

A statement jointly signed by its chairman, Otunba Tunde Onakoya, and the governorship candidate, Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, said Buhari’s first term had been characterised with economic comatose which could be worse if the President was reelected.

Read also: #NigeriaDecides 2019: Buhari’s chief of staff, Kyari accuses US, UK, EU of hidden agenda

“We cannot support Buhari for re-election when his first term in office (2015-2019) has been a dismal failure. On Buhari’s watch, Nigeria’s GDP declined, Direct foreign Investment dropped, the stock market weakened, the cost of petrol, diesel, kerosene and food items multiplied, and the naira at 360 to 1 dollar is at the lowest point in the history of Nigeria.

“And in so far as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has over time expressed a clear commitment to restructuring, we concur with Afenifere in endorsing Atiku Abubakar as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the upcoming 2019 election.”

Recall that SDP state chairmen had dumped the position of the NEC and instead, adopted Atiku, for Saturday’s presidential election.

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