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The Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Kogi State is currently knee-deep in leadership crises as the party has broken into factions, flaunting two different key executives.
The SDP in the state broke into limelight as a powerful opposition when it settled for Natasha Akpoti, a popular candidate in the last National Assembly elections, and state gubernatorial election.
Despite a strong outing in the elections, though not winning either, crises have since brewed in the party’s leadership.
ebirareporters.com can report that there is now the Muktar Atima led faction, and Moses Peter led faction.
Recall that the Atima group had suspended its State National Secretary, Arome Okeme for indiscipline and insubordination.
The Party in an emergency meeting held in lokoja the state capital and attended by other members has also replaced the suspended Secretary with Musa David Chubiyojo.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Atima said the suspension of the Secretary followed his continued disobedience to Party rules and regulations.
Similarly, the Party said the absence of the Secretary from the country to Guinea Bissau for over a year has negatively affected the smooth running of the Party, creating a huge lacuna.
The chairman equally frowned at the abuse and incessant castigation of the Party and its Leadership in the Media by the suspended Secretary and described his actions as capable of bringing the party to disrepute.
The SDP in the state passed a confidence votes on the leadership of Alh. Muktar Atima, lauded the support and the action of the state Chairman to the National Leadership who they disclosed has added immense value to the party in the State.
They Party also commended the Chairman for Supporting the new National leadership of the party and described the decision as one that is capable of putting the party in good stead ahead of the 2023 General elections.
However, responding, the Moses Peter faction has also issued a suspension on Muktar Atima for alleged anti-party activities, incompetence and collusion with spoilers.
In a press statement issued by Arome Okeme, “Atima and one of the party’s top candidate in the last election currently under investigation, played an active part in” what his faction described as failed mutiny against the party’s National leaders.
“We the members of the State Executive Committee of the party, on this day, 29th January 2022, hereby find them unfit to lead the party again against this background, as such,
“We have passed a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE on the state chairman, Alh. Mouktar Atimah, and recommending his immediate suspension by the National body according to section 18 iv and 19.7 of the constitution of the party as amended.
“Furthermore, Hon. Moses Peters has been unanimously adopted to assume the duties of acting chairman for the remainder of the tenure according to section 12.3.3 of the constitution of the SDP as amended,” the statement read.
