BY AHMED AKANBI
Nasarawa State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Barrister Ibrahim Likita Ajegena, on Monday seized control of the party secretariat in Lafia and vowed the party would take power in Nasarawa State, and at the centre in 2027.
Addressing journalists amid a lingering leadership dispute, Ajegena dismissed reports of crisis.
“There is no crisis in the SDP. There are only some aggrieved members who feel that they could not do anything but to become spoilers,” he said.
The chairman said the party had remained functional through its zonal offices and that reclaiming the official secretariat along Jos Road, opposite the Catholic Church in Lafia, signals a new phase.
“We will no longer allow internal disagreements to derail our preparations,” he declared.
Ajegena’s takeover came two days after the SDP conducted a substitution primary across the state’s 13 local government areas, producing former Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu as governorship candidate for 2027 following the withdrawal of Musa Adamu Angba.
According to the SDP Electoral Committee, 28,637 delegates participated in the primary with Adamu as the sole aspirant, secured the highest number of valid votes to emerge as the party’s flag bearer.
The chairman described the massive turnout as a warning to rival parties.
“What we witnessed on Saturday is a sign of victory. The crowd was massive and it showed that the people are with us,” Ajegena said.
He announced immediate grassroots mobilisation across all 13 local government areas, warning that SDP is not just contesting — it is coming to win.
“We are battle-ready for 2027. The SDP is prepared to take Nasarawa State, and we are also prepared to take the presidency,” Ajegena stated, describing the party as the main alternative to the ruling party.
Ajegena downplayed the internal rift, blaming “spoiler activities” by members who failed to get their way within the party, insisting that the SDP remains united under his leadership.
With Adamu now on the ballot and the secretariat back under his control, Ajegena said the Nasarawa SDP will shift focus fully to voter mobilisation and building structures to challenge the APC in 2027.