The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has pledged discipline, transparency, and strict adherence to its constitution following the election of a new National Working Committee at its convention in Bauchi State.

The national chairman, Sadiq Gombe, made the commitment while addressing delegates, state chairmen, and stakeholders from the 36 states and the FCT.

He thanked members for their confidence in the new leadership, describing the mandate as a responsibility to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The member representing North Central, state chairmen, and party leaders at all levels, on behalf of the NWC, I sincerely thank you for the confidence reposed in us,” he said.

Mr Gombe said the new leadership would serve from 2025 to 2030 and assured members of its commitment to constitutional governance and responsible leadership across all party structures.

“We will lead with responsibility and submission to Allah, while respecting Nigeria’s Constitution, the Electoral Act, and our party constitution,” he said.

He warned against complacency, noting that Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges demanded urgent and patriotic leadership.

“The country is in need of upright leadership. We will not take anything for granted,” he said.

Mr Gombe said political parties remain central to democracy, adding that the SDP would strengthen its internal structures to serve as a credible alternative for Nigerians.

He also noted Nigeria’s population trajectory, warning that the country must prepare for rising governance pressures as it could become the world’s third-most populous nation.

“We must prepare to offer Nigerians a credible alternative platform in the coming years,” he said.

He commended party leaders and presidential aspirants for their contributions to the party’s national repositioning and praised Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for supporting a peaceful convention process.

“We thank Governor Bala Mohammed for his democratic disposition and support for this peaceful convention,” he said.

He urged members to remain united, assuring them that the new leadership would not disappoint.

The national secretary of the SDP, Olu Agunloye, said the party had resisted attempts by external forces to take over its structure.

Presenting the state of the party address, Mr Agunloye said the SDP had undergone major reforms over the past four years, strengthened its internal structures, and reasserted its ideological foundation.

He said the party remained committed to social justice, equity, and internal democracy, noting that it had reviewed its constitution in 2018 and 2022 and strengthened disciplinary mechanisms.

Mr Agunloye added that the SDP had contested elections at all levels and won several seats, while also recording legal victories against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which affirmed its internal autonomy.

He said the party was expanding its grassroots presence through model secretariats nationwide and would contest all elective positions in 2027, expressing confidence in its growing national relevance.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the 2026 SDP National Convention, Usman Bugaje, raised concerns over mounting pressure on democratic institutions and the need to safeguard political competition in Nigeria.

Mr Bugaje said the country continues to face insecurity, unemployment, inflation, and weak public service delivery, urging citizens to remain resilient and committed to national renewal.

He also called for stronger safeguards to protect the independence of institutions such as the judiciary and the INEC to enhance public trust in the democratic process.

The convention ended with renewed calls for unity, internal democracy, and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

(NAN)