SDP Denies Collapse of Oluyole Structure into APC, Says ‘Our Structure Is Intact’

Oyo SDP Chairman dismisses report as misleading, says party remains active and mobilising across Oluyole

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State has dismissed reports that its political structure in Oluyole Local Government Area has collapsed into the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the claim as misleading and a misrepresentation of the current political situation in the council.

The State Chairman of the SDP, Okunlade Michael, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the party's structure in Oluyole remains intact, with its members and supporters actively engaged in mobilisation and other political activities.

Okunlade said while the party respects the constitutional right of every individual to freedom of association and the decision to move from one political party to another, it was inappropriate to portray former SDP members as constituting the party's present structure in Oluyole.

According to him, the group led by Mogaji Saheed Oyewale left the SDP sometime last year and became associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He further stated that Oyewale subsequently participated as an aspirant in the ADC's recently concluded primary process.

The SDP chairman questioned what he described as the sudden re-emergence of the group in narratives concerning the SDP structure in Oluyole following the outcome of the ADC primary, saying the development raises questions about the motivation behind the reports.

“It is misleading and mischievous to present people who have ceased to be members of the SDP for almost a year as though they constitute the party's current structure in Oluyole,” Okunlade stated.

He maintained that the SDP remains active in the local government and continues to mobilise members ahead of future political engagements.

As evidence of the party's continued activities in the area, the chairman pointed to a sensitisation meeting being held by the SDP candidate for the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Kazeem Olawale Hamzat, with members and supporters within his constituency.

Okunlade said the ongoing engagement demonstrated that the party's structure was still operational and capable of mobilising its supporters.

He urged residents of Oluyole, members of the public and supporters of democracy to disregard what he described as politically motivated narratives capable of creating confusion about the strength and organisation of the SDP in the local government.

The chairman also used the opportunity to call on Nigerians seeking an alternative to the dominant political parties to join the SDP, stressing that the party was committed to building a credible, responsible and people-oriented political platform.

He said the party's immediate focus remained strengthening its structures, expanding its membership base and providing citizens with a genuine platform for political participation and good governance.

“The SDP in Oluyole is alive. Our structure is intact. Our members are resolute. And we are moving forward,” Okunlade declared.