Interview: Plateau SDP sets to take over Government House Rayfield 2023 - Hon. Dogara

Hon. Abubakar Dogara, Chairman Social Democratic Party (SDP) Plateau State Chapter

The Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Plateau State Chapter, Hon. Abubakar Dogara in a chat with African Drum recently, said that the party in the state is well rooted more than ever before and equally set to take over power from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2023.

Please, enjoy the excerpts.

African Drum: Sir, What has been the latest activities in your party?
Hon. Dogara: Thank you. During the last NEC meeting in Abuja few weeks ago, our party resolved to hold nation-wide congresses. Thankfully, we in Plateau State have already held our congresses from the Ward to the state levels respectively. Specifically, we held our state congress on April 26, 2022 and at the end of the excercise, I was re-elected state Chairman of the party for a second term. So, congresses have been our major activity for this year so far. However, other activities include preparations for the party primaries to be conducted soon. Sales of Interest/Nomination Forms have been on and party Aspirants wishing to contest for various elective positions in the general elections come 2023 are picking their forms of choices. It has actually been a busy time for us.

African Drum: How were you able to resolved the problems that once engulfed your party in the state?

Hon. Dogara: Well, first and foremost, let me say that there is no political party that is immune to internal wranglings but the ability to manage or find solutions to such squabbles usually strengthens the party and enables it wax stronger. And it is exactly what we did. Our ability to resolved our problems is owed to our transparency and fairness in all that we do. And you know that transparency and fairness promote justice and when justice is prevailed, people are satisfied and contented.Having said that, let me quickly add that the internal internal problems that we experienced is a mere thing compare to wranglings in other political parties. The ruling APC for instance and the main opposition, the PDP both have over a thousand court cases across the state. So you would agree with me that ours was minimal and also the reason why we were able to resolved them. But most importantly, the resolution was made possible because SDP promotes justice and fairness.

Recall that in 2018, under the leadership of Prof. Jerry Gana, the party was enmshed in political turmoils across the 36 states of the Federation and at the National level. But after loosing in court, those who orchestrated the problem decided to leave the party and that was the end.So, as it currently is, we don't have leadership or any kind of problem in the SDP. Here on the Plateau, the party is intact having one structure at the state level and in each of the 17 Local Government Areas. No where in Plateau State that you would hear that SDP is divided or that there is a faction. So, we are stronger and more dedicated (of course, courtesy, the tussles which made us came out of it more stronger and dedicated than before) and poised to take over power in Plateau State come 2023. Yes, we are ever ready to take over Government House Rayfield next year. I must tell you that now, we are more matured and focused than before.

African Drum: How acceptable is the SDP in Plateau State?

Hon. Dogara: Our party is well accepted by the people of Plateau because we have structures across the 17 Local Government Areas and 207 Federal Electoral Wards in the state. And like I said earlier, we are ever ready to take over Government House Rayfield in 2023.

Hon. Dogara

African Drum: You have been talking about taking over power in 2023, what preparations has your party put in place already to achieve your goal come 2023?
Hon. Dogara: Our major assets are the Programs in our manifesto. The Programs we have in our manifesto are wonderful and attractive. They are centered on social justice, security and welfare of the people. And you would agree with me that all these are what Nigerians have been yearning for.

Secondly, you know that SDP is not a political party that is a business or a commercial venture with the sole aim of making money like other political parties. It is for this reason that our Interest/Nomination Forms are very much affordable because we have made it in a way that people can afford to pay with ease. The main aim is just for members of the party to support the party to enable it conduct its activities.

Thirdly, you would also agree with me that both the APC and PDP have failed the people to the extent that the people hardly trust any political Institution any more. The only Institutions people currently hold in esteem are the religious and traditional Institutions. So we have been reaching out to traditional rulers and having interface with them to make them understand that our party stands differently with others. We have also been talking to them of our manifesto and Programs and I tell you this approach is already yeilding positive results as the current membership of our party in the state is above 10,000. We have equally been urging them to advise their followers to be firm and not to succumb to the antics of money bags.

We have also received some decampees from the ruling APC. We have equally had discussions with Prof. Joseph Golwa, Ibrahim Ponyah and Dr. Simput Eagle who have all declared their interest to contest for the governoship under the platform of SDP. Many other politicians have equally declared their interests to pursue their various political ambitions on the platform of our party and have been purchasing Expression of Interest/Nomination Forms. It has been a whole lot of activities across the state.

It's obvious that the people of Plateau are looking for new faces, people they can trust, not the ones that have held power since1999 with nothing to show for it except story telling. People want new faces with fresh and genuine ideas and it's exactly what we are set to offer the people of Plateau State.
African Drum: Sir, mention two things you feel the ruling APC has failed to address which your party intends to effectively addressed if given the mandate to pilot the affairs of the state in 2023?
Hon. Dogara: Social security and Youth Empowerment. These are the most important things SDP would focused on if given the mandate. Plateau is erroneously believed to be a civil service state which is not true. Plateau is a business oriented state and so, we want to reenact the past glory of the state as a business and investors destination where people would come from Kano, Lagos and other places to Jos to do businesses.

African Drum: Can this be achieved without adequate security?
Hon. Dogara: I mentioned social security and it is encompassing. It include all aspects of security.
African Drum: You hold several positions in your party (aside being the State Chairman), what in your view do you think has earned you the trust of members of your party to have accorded you multiple responsibilities?

Hon. Dogara: First and foremost, I would say, that is how God wants it to be. Secondly, it's my committment and loyalty to the party. I have been a committed member of the party since 2013. We brought the party to Plateau State in 2015 and have been operating without sponsorship from anybody. That's why I said committment and loyalty to the party formed part of it. I was the Secretary, Forum of SDP Chairmen of Nigeria and it was my first National appointment after being elected state Chairman of the party.Not too long ago, I was elected deputy Forum Chairman of the SDP Chairmen of Nigeria. But after the Chairman (who was the SDP Chairman in Lagos) Hon. Femi Olaniyi was unable to make it during the last congress, I was immediately confirmed as the substantive Chairman, Forum of SDP Chairmen of Nigeria.

Dogara

African Drum: What's your final word to the people of Plateau State?
Hon. Dogara: Well, our message to the people of Plateau State is that; life continues after any election. Therefore, a peaceful outing for every election is paramount. So, I am calling on the people of Plateau State to be peaceful during subsequent elections. Secondly, people should jettison the thought that belonging to a political party is just for financial gains or benefits. The SDP is out to salvage the people from the hands of business men and women who called themselves politicians but by their actions and inactions, have almost destroyed the country and this calls for sacrifice. I urge the people of Plateau State to remain focused and resolute and ensure that they produce a responsible government in 2023 by voting only the SDP in all elective positions during the general elections as SDP remains the only political party with the interest of the state and its people at heart.

African Drum: Thank you sir for your time.
Hon. Dogara: Thank you too.

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