By Sulieman Magaji
Niger State is witnessing a significant political realignment as a mass movement of individuals from prominent political parties flocks to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), THISDAY investigations reveal. The surge in membership is so substantial that long queues are now a daily occurrence at ward registration centers across the state, signaling a potential shift in the state’s political landscape.
Further underscoring the SDP’s growing prominence, OBSERVERS TIMES observes that the party’s state headquarters has acquired the former gubernatorial campaign office of the current Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi. The property is currently undergoing renovation and a repaint in the SDP’s distinctive colors, a tangible sign of the party’s expanding ambitions and resources within the state.
Sources indicate that the influx of new members comprises a diverse range of individuals, many of whom are prominent politicians seeking a new political home. While the state headquarters in Minna has become a focal point for this movement, new registrants are largely being directed to their respective wards to complete the membership process, highlighting the grassroots nature of this surge in support.
In anticipation of the arrival of numerous influential figures, THISDAY has gathered that the SDP has established an Elders Advisory Council. This body is specifically designed to accommodate these prominent politicians and ensure a smooth integration into the party’s existing structure.
Confirming the unprecedented growth, the state Chairman of the SDP, Mr. Buhari Yakubu Yerima, told THISDAY, “The SDP is now the toast of the people of the state; on a daily basis, people are coming to register and obtain our membership cards.” While Yerima declined to disclose the names of the high-profile politicians who have joined the party, he stated that “we are making arrangements to unveil them at the appropriate time,” suggesting a strategic rollout of these new alliances.
However, Yerima also issued a clear message to those joining the SDP, emphasizing the importance of respecting the party’s established foundations. “They should realize that there is an existing structure, they should know that they are only coming to strengthen the existing structure and make it more formidable,” he asserted. “Nobody should expect that he or she is coming to dismantle the existing structure; we will not allow it.”
This mass movement to the SDP in Niger State indicates a potentially significant shake-up in the state’s political dynamics ahead of future elections. The acquisition of a high-profile campaign office and the establishment of an Elders Advisory Council suggest that the SDP is positioning itself as a serious contender, attracting disillusioned members from other major parties and potentially reshaping the political map of Niger State. The unveiling of prominent new members in the coming period will be closely watched to gauge the full impact of this ongoing political earthquake.
