Crisis Deepens in Kogi SDP as Factional Chairman Emerges

Crisis Deepens in Kogi SDP as Factional Chairman Emerges

The crisis within the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State has escalated following the emergence of a factional chairman, Ahmed Attah, in an emergency congress held in Lokoja on Wednesday.

Attah, in his acceptance speech, described his emergence as a victory for collective effort and party unity, pledging to uphold the SDP’s values and work for the development of Kogi State.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the National Chairman of our great party, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, our principal, His Excellency Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, and all the party stakeholders for their trust and confidence in me,” Attah said.

He vowed to foster inclusivity among members and champion policies aimed at improving education, healthcare, and economic opportunities in the state.

Attah also paid tribute to party members who lost their lives in the lead-up to the November 2023 Kogi governorship election, pledging to continue their struggle for political change.

Embattled Chairman Rejects Congress Outcome

Meanwhile, the embattled Kogi SDP chairman, Moses Peter Oricha, has dismissed the emergency congress as illegal, urging security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard it.

Oricha described the congress as a “criminal violation of due process,” noting that a legal case regarding the party’s leadership is still pending in court.

“Our tenure will expire in April 2026, so why the rush to conduct an illegal congress?” he questioned while addressing journalists in Lokoja.

He commended INEC and security agencies for not attending the congress, which produced Attah as chairman and Abdulrahman Idris as secretary, among other executives.

“It has just come to my notice that some ghost individuals claiming to be SDP members in Kogi State organized a state congress today.

This is not only laughable but criminal in a modern democratic setting,” Oricha stated.

He alleged that those behind the congress were being sponsored by external forces seeking to destabilize the party for selfish interests.

Oricha further confirmed that he had officially written to INEC, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, urging them to disregard the congress.

“I am the authentic chairman of SDP in Kogi State, and we will not allow intruders to destroy our party, which we have built over the years.

This congress is null and void and cannot stand,” he added.

Oricha reaffirmed that the congress that brought his leadership into office on April 9, 2022, remains valid under the SDP constitution.

The deepening rift within the SDP in Kogi State raises concerns over the party’s unity ahead of future political activities.