Tag: SDP

  • Tragic Loss as Senator Godiya Akwashiki Passes On at 52

    Tragic Loss as Senator Godiya Akwashiki Passes On at 52

    In an update published by The Nation, the Nigerian political community has been thrown into mourning following the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who represented Nasarawa North in the National Assembly. Chieftains of various political parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), received the remains of the 52-year-old lawmaker at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, describing his demise as a ‘devastating loss to the nation.’

    Senator Akwashiki was widely respected for his contributions to legislative governance and his commitment to the development of Nasarawa State. Colleagues and family members described him as a bridge-builder who maintained strong relationships across party lines, making his sudden departure a significant blow to the opposition and the Senate at large.

    The news was also reported by Daily Post and Leadership. Daily Post noted that the ‘SDP presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo pays tribute’ to the late senator, while Leadership cited the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, who stated that ‘Akwashiki’s demise is an irreparable loss to the state and the nation.’

    Echotitbits take: The death of a sitting senator often triggers a high-stakes by-election. Beyond the personal tragedy, Akwashiki’s passing will likely lead to a political scramble in Nasarawa North. Watch for how the SDP and the ruling APC position themselves for the upcoming contest to fill the vacant seat.
    Source: Vanguard – https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/01/senator-godiya-akwashiki-dies-in-indian-hospital-at-52/ January 6 2026

    Photo Credit: Vanguard

  • SDP National Chairman Warns Tinubu Over Extravagant Lifestyle Amid Poverty

    SDP National Chairman Warns Tinubu Over Extravagant Lifestyle Amid Poverty

    According to The Authority, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, has issued a scathing assessment of the Tinubu administration. Gombe warned that the ‘extravagant lifestyle’ of those in power, contrasted with the rising poverty and ‘policy somersaults’ affecting ordinary Nigerians, poses a significant threat to the country’s democratic stability.

    The SDP leader criticized the removal of fuel subsidies without what he called ‘adequate social cushioning,’ arguing that the current tax reforms are being introduced at a time when most citizens are struggling to afford basic meals. He positioned the SDP as the ‘rescue mission’ for 2027, promising a return to people-centered governance and fiscal accountability.

    Validation of this political critique came from Tribune Online and Daily Post. Tribune Online reported that ‘SDP is mobilizing a third-force coalition for 2027,’ while Daily Post quoted Gombe: ‘A hungry population cannot be patriotic; the government must lead by example in cutting costs.’

    Echotitbits take: This is the beginning of the ‘2027 Campaign’ narrative. By attacking the government’s ‘extravagance,’ the SDP is tapping into widespread public frustration over the high cost of governance. While the SDP is currently small, watch for whether disaffected members of the APC or PDP begin to coalesce around this ‘rescue mission’ banner.
    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/new-year-sdp-chair-tasks-tinubu-on-security-economy/ January 5, 2026

    Photo Credit: The Punch