The Kogi State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is in turmoil after a factional group on Wednesday inaugurated a parallel executive committee in Lokoja.
The congress, held at the party’s state secretariat, saw former All Progressives Congress (APC) zonal leader, Hon. Ahmed Attah, elected as the new chairman, with Alhaji Idris Sofada emerging as state secretary.
The 12-member executive was elected by 3,890 delegates from the state’s 21 local government areas. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials monitored the exercise.
In his inaugural address, Attah pledged fairness and justice, vowing to reposition the SDP for victory in future elections.
He commended INEC, the planning committee, and security personnel for ensuring a successful congress, declaring, “This has positioned SDP as the party to beat in the 2028 governorship election.”
However, another faction led by Moses Peter Oricha rejected the congress, calling it “illegal, null and void.”
Oricha, whose executive’s tenure will expire in April 2026, accused the organisers of violating due process and disregarding a pending court case.
“It has come to my notice that some individuals claiming to be SDP members organised a state congress yesterday. This is laughable and criminal. They are faceless and sponsored by paymasters to cause chaos in our party,” Oricha said.
He urged the public, security agencies and INEC to disregard the congress, describing it as an effort to destabilise the party.