A fresh crisis is rocking the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as protesters on Wednesday stormed the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, demanding the immediate removal of the National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye.
The protesters accused Agunloye of gross misconduct, abuse of office and actions allegedly detrimental to the party’s unity.
Chanting solidarity songs and wielding placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t destroy SDP! Dr. Agunloye’s EFCC case is destroying SDP! Resign now and give us a chance,” and “Save SDP’s legacy, clear your name or resign,” the demonstrators asked Agunloye to either clear his name regarding his fraud case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or step down.
Agunloye, a former Minister of Power and Steel under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, is currently facing trial by the EFCC over allegations of fraudulent contract awards and corruption.
The EFCC accused the former minister of awarding a contract for the construction of the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited on May 22, 2003, without requisite budgetary provisions, approvals, or financial backing.
One of the charges filed by the EFCC accuses Agunloye and Leno Adesanya, who remains at large, of forging a document dated May 22, 2003.
The document, titled “Construction of 3,960MW Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on Build, Operate, Transfer Basis,” allegedly caused the Federal Government of Nigeria to enter into a contract with Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL).
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The EFCC claims the forgery violates Sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code and is punishable under the law.
There are insinuations, though not confirmed, that SDP members loyal to El-Rufai are actively pushing for Agunloye’s resignation.
El-Rufai, on Monday, resigned from the APC and announced his move to the SDP.
He has also directed his political allies and supporters to join him in the new party.
Prior to the protest on Wednesday, Agunloye confirmed that he had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police about a person who forged letterhead paper and is threatening him to resign his position as National Secretary of the SDP.
