The Ogun State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has cautioned Jimi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, to desist from presenting himself as a member of the party.
The warning was issued on Monday by the party’s Deputy State Chairman, Augustus Olushola, during a press conference in Abeokuta.
According to Olushola, Lawal is not recognised as an SDP member due to multiple violations and acts deemed as anti-party activities.
Olushola alleged that Lawal had been posing as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition in Ogun State while unlawfully presenting himself under the SDP banner.
He further accused Lawal of illegally issuing SDP membership cards to ADC members without the authorisation of the party’s state leadership.
“As you are aware, our Party National Working Committee (NWC) has made it clear that we remain a separate entity and that there is no merger or coalition with the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” Olushola stated.
“Despite this, it has come to our attention that Hon. Jimi Adebisi Lawal continues to present himself as a member of the ADC coalition in Ogun State.
He has also been issuing SDP membership cards illegally to his ADC members without the authority of the state organ of the party. This we consider as illegal possession of the party cards,” he added.
The SDP deputy chairman stressed that these actions contravened the party’s constitution and amounted to impersonation.
He also noted that Lawal had not fulfilled the basic requirement of paying membership dues, which is mandatory for anyone seeking to join the party.
“Since he has not paid any membership dues, which is a prerequisite for joining the party, we consider that he is impersonating as a member of our party. With this, he is neither qualified nor recognised to represent our party at any level,” Olushola said.
The Ogun SDP leadership reiterated that it remains independent and will not tolerate any unauthorised individuals claiming membership or acting on behalf of the party.
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