The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has urged young professionals to take active interest in politics and contribute to efforts aimed at addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.
Speaking during a visit of members of the Young Progressive Professionals at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, the National chairman of the party, prof. said, their visit shows young Nigerians still have hope in the country’s future.
Gombe said the involvement of young professionals is critical at a time when many Nigerians are worried about poverty, insecurity, unemployment and other socio-economic challenges, urging them to deepen participation and support competent and purposeful leadership.
He said the party’s presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, and vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Usman Bugaje, are committed to offering an alternative approach to governance, and called on the group to engage peers and promote national unity beyond ethnic, religious or regional lines.
Similarly , the presidential candidate of the party, prince Adewole Adebayo commended the group for organising around national development, noting that unlike generations born into already-developed societies, young Nigerians have the rare opportunity to build institutions and systems that will shape the country’s future.
He recalled joining the SDP in 1991 while studying Law at the University of Ife after studying its manifesto and the Constitutional Assembly recommendations that informed Chapter Two of the Constitution, stressing that political parties must serve as training grounds for leadership and public service.
Adebayo said poverty and insecurity remain Nigeria’s major challenges requiring institutional reforms, adding that the SDP’s approach is centred on building a common national purpose anchored on the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.
Also speaking, the vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Usman Bugaje, said Nigeria needs political will and competent leadership, citing Japan, South Korea and Singapore as countries that overcame difficult conditions through deliberate policies.
Main while the group’s interim chairman, Emmanuel Fortunatus, lamented rising living costs and urged leaders to tackle corruption and poverty.
