By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA
ABUJA- The Social Democratic Party (SDP) says its presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has practical solutions to challenges confronting Nigeria.
Mr Solomon Dalung,Director-General of SDP Presidential Campaign Council, said this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.
Dalung, a former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, urged Nigerians not to vote based on sentiments, but vote for candidates with ideas to solve problems, which he said ,Adebayo represents.
He said that Adebayo was already engaging Nigerians with practical solutions to problems of poverty, unemployment, insecurity and others.
“ SDP is not bothered by rented crowd turning to violence. Our method of engagement fundamentally differs from what is being employed by others.
“We have gotten considerable approval of Nigerians who believe in our presidential candidate and his practical solutions to the problems of Nigeria.
“Adebayo is an entrepreneur and has employed many Nigerians in different sectors. Creating jobs is not strange to us.
“Days of hypocrisy and fake promises are gone. 2023 is too critical for the unity of this country. Nigerians should not vote based on sentiments;we should elect a president that has practical solutions to our problems,’’ Dalung said.
The party’s campaign D-G also said that Adebayo and the party had no plan of stepping down for any party or candidate ahead of the 2023 presidential election, because” Adebayo has something superior to offer”
Dalung said that the story of stepping down should be subjected to those with nothing to offer, who had reduced their campaigns to comedy.
“Adebayo has proved beyond reasonable doubts that as young as he is, he knows this country’s problems and he has practical solutions to them.
“The country’s security situation is serious ,so considering stepping down as an option is treasonable.
“For us to buy nomination form of N35 million,started campaigning and then considering stepping down,we should be tried for treason.’’he said
Dalung advised against the use of national assets to promote or campaign for any political party or candidate.
He said that the use of national assets, including aircraft for a candidate would amount to abuse of power, adding that if it should be done st all,it should be extended to all candidates of other political parties.
He said that did not mean that the incumbent should be denied of his office privileges.
Dalung also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to live by his words of promising to deliver free and fair elections in 2023.
He called on all presidential candidates and political parties to let their campaigns be issue,- based and not instigate violence.
“Presidential campaigns should not turn to comedy. The issues are too many to be turned to fun fair. Parties should account for their stewardship.
“The Peoples Democratic Party should compare their 16years to that of the APC eights years in power so that Nigerians can see the difference.
“The APC should tell Nigerians what they have done in terms of infrastructural development and others.’’ he said .
Dalung said the party was aware of a plot to use criminal allegations against Adabayo, urging those involved to desist from such .
He said information available to the the campaign council revealed that people were being recruited to fabricate criminal allegations to either implicate or blackmail Adebayo.
“Adebayo is an Ondo prince. He has an impeccable background; he has lived in different parts of the world with clean records.
“Therefore going the extra mile trying to frustrate our campaign will not work.
“All those doing so should desist from it. Deploying guerrilla tactics to undermine our candidate will not work, he said.(NAN)