The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has vehemently denied claims that it is owned or funded by President Bola Tinubu, asserting its independence as a political entity.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the opposition party called out those perpetuating the false narrative, accusing them of spreading misleading information for personal and political gain.
Rufus Ayenigba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, described the allegations as “reckless” and “mischievous,” branding them as propaganda designed to deceive the public.
The SDP made it clear that it operates without the influence of any individual or political godfather, reiterating that the party is solely owned by Nigerians.
The SDP said: “The national leadership of our great party, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has in the past days been inundated with calls and expressions of concern about the reckless and mischievous statements credited to some individuals, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu owns and funds the Social Democratic Party, the SDP.
“Initially, we chose not to dignify the preposterous claims of those political jobbers, attention- and patronage-seeking with any response so as not to make their false claim have any semblance of importance but upon deep reflection and considering the preponderance of calls from well-meaning patriots.
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“We have decided to respond as follows: that the SDP is a national political party that runs on the provisions of its constitution and operates its people-centred ideology.
“There is no individual who owns the SDP, and there is no godfather anywhere to whom the party reports; Nigerians own the party.
“That beyond the undeniable fact that the SDP provided the foundation upon which the glorious political career of President Tinubu is built, having provided him the platform to contest and win the Senate seat of Lagos-West along with Senator Kofoworola Akerele-Buknor and Senator Anthony Adefuye in the aborted 3rd Republic.
“That there is no working connection or relationship whatsoever with the president or his agents with regard to political collaboration.
“That the party has, over the years, been solely self-funded and sustained through the subscriptions and sacrifices of members across the country.”
 has strongly refuted allegations that it is financed or controlled by President Bola Tinubu, reaffirming its status as an independent political entity.){kind=link}