Former Minister of Information and frontline Nasarawa politician, Labaran Maku, has given reasons for his defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), saying the decision was taken to preserve the memories of late democracy icon Chief MKO Abiola and former Nasarawa North senator Godiya Akwashiki.
Speaking on his decision, Maku said the SDP remains a symbolic platform in Nigeria’s democratic history because of its connection to the late MKO Abiola and the struggle that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
He noted that many pro-democracy activists, journalists, and ordinary Nigerians risked their lives in the fight to defend the mandate of the late business mogul, adding that his return to the party is a tribute to those sacrifices.
“People may ask why I am choosing the Social Democratic Party, SDP. I’m choosing SDP to honor the late Chief MKO Abiola’s memory and the people who lost their lives following the annulment of the June 12 presidential election,” Maku said.
The former presidential aide also used the moment to celebrate the legacy of late Senator Godiya Akwashiki, whom he described as one of the most impactful representatives Nasarawa North has produced since 1999.
According to Maku, Akwashiki’s record of service and performance strongly influenced his decision to adopt the SDP as his new political platform after leaving the PDP.
“Late Senator Godiya Akwashiki was one of the best senators in Nasarawa North since 1999. He was a performer, and I like performers because I’m a performer,” he stated.
Maku stressed that his political future in the SDP would be guided by the ideals of democratic sacrifice, quality representation, and impactful leadership associated with both MKO Abiola and the late Senator Akwashiki.
In the meantime, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday declared three senatorial seats vacant following the deaths of members of the 10th Senate.
The vacancies affect Enugu North Senatorial District, Nasarawa North Senatorial District, and Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
Akpabio made the announcement during plenary, noting that the development was necessitated by the demise of the affected lawmakers in line with constitutional provisions.
“Due to the tragedies that have befallen the 10th Senate, vacancies have been created for midterm elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that we fill the vacancies created by the demise of our colleagues,” he said.