Party constitution supreme in SDP-Prince Adebayo 

Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Prince Adewole Adebayo has said no member is superior to the constitution of the party, emphasising that the party is supreme.

Speaking with the journalists on the state of the nation, Adebayo warned Nigerians to be vigilant and watchful as politicians defect from one political party to the other ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On his party’s ability to control the political heavyweights that are defecting to it, he said the defectors need to understand that it was lack of discipline and party supremacy that made them leave their original party, adding that the constitution of the SDP is supreme over any member of the party.

He lamented that there are no checks and balances in the system, stating that political appointments do not reflect the federal character principle.

Adebayo warned Nigerians not be deceived by the gale of defections, adding that alot of those moves are self serving and self preserving and have nothing to do with the interest of the masses.

“Politics is a career. It’s a profession. To some people, it’s even a business. So, a lot of the moves may be self-serving and self-preserving. People are positioning themselves for what the future will bring for them. People should pay attention to defections and movements that arise from belief or ideology. Many are defecting because the government of the day or where you belong before is no longer serving their interests. But, where the movement around has to do with your personal gain or feeling, or where it is to boost personal career, then it’s for the public to properly evaluate. So, all defections are not equal. Some are equal to selfishness, some are equal to principle but it’s for the public to judge,” he stated.

Continuing, he said: “If you listen to the narrative of those who are changing parties, it suggests that they are moving for things that affect them personally, not really because of things that affect the people. There may be others who are moving quietly, who have not expressed the purpose and the reason they are moving, but those who have given interviews, spoken extensively and given background to why they are changing positions, all boil down to personal ambition, personal grievances, some unrealised promises and all of that. So, it’s a bit on the personal side.”

He noted that in some other parties like the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), personalities are superior to the party and even the government institutions and that is why some of them are leaving the party.

“If we, the SDP, don’t learn from the imprint and lawlessness in the APC and PDP, then what is the rationale for us to say that we want to govern Nigeria? We need to learn from the mistakes of the big party. That is why the SDP is doing its level best to let people know that the party is supreme. It’s supreme over me, it is supreme over the National Chairman, the NWC and the NEC; the party is supreme over every other person”, he added