SDP denies endorsing APC candidate Oyebamiji in Osun governorship election

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has dismissed reports that its Osun State chapter has collapsed its structure to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The party described the report as false, insisting that its Osun chapter remained intact and had not endorsed any candidate or political party.

The controversy followed a purported letter by a factional SDP Chairman in Osun State, Mr Remi Omidire, in which he allegedly adopted Oyebamiji and addressed the decision to the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Lawal.

Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos, the Chairman of SDP State Chairmen in Nigeria, Mr Femi Olaniyi (Ferrari), said the alleged letter did not come from the recognised leadership of the party in Osun led by Mr Funsho Fabiyi.

Olaniyi described the document as a false publication by individuals seeking to mislead the public, adding that the Fabiyi-led leadership had neither entered into any agreement with the APC nor collapsed the party’s structure.

He reaffirmed that the SDP remained committed to participating in the governorship election.

“The Osun State chapter of the SDP has not, and will not, collapse its structure for any political party. SDP is not for sale,” he said.

The SDP chairman warned those responsible for spreading the alleged false information to stop immediately or face legal action.

“We warn all perpetrators of this fake news to desist immediately or face the full wrath of the law,” he added.

Olaniyi urged party members and supporters to ignore the report, stressing that the SDP remained focused on its campaign and its goal of winning the Osun governorship election through the democratic process.