NLP collapses structure into SDP in Imo

On Wednesday March 12th 2025, the Deputy National Chairman and Southeast leader of the National Liberation Patriots (NLP), Professor Chris Ogbonna, led his Executive in a historic declaration of their departure from their original party and their formal entrance into the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Professor Ogbonna, a respected academic and politician, had been a prominent figure in the NLP. However, recent events and growing concerns about the future of his constituents had led him to re-evaluate their political alignment.

Welcoming them at the state party Secretariat Owerri Imo State, Amb. Dr. Henry Ifeanyi Eluwa, the state party chairman applauded their decision to join the SDP.

“Thank you for choosing to join us at the Social Democratic Party, a space where the interests of the people truly matters.

“Your presence here reinforces our commitment to create a platform that serves the community above all else.

”This time, we must get it right, from the state to the local government and pulling units. We have so many structures to accommodate everyone.”

Speaking earlier, Prof. Chris Ogbonna Said “We are here today to make a final and unwavering declaration of our decision to join the SDP

“This is an unconditional move. We are not here to share power or positions; we seek to amplify the voices of our people. Our intention is to work tirelessly to build a platform where the ordinary citizen is prioritized.

” I want to assure you that the people you are seeing here are credible people. We are to fight together and win. We must work together to move the party forward.
While expressing the need for unity, he said.

”We are all aware of the struggles faced by our People. SDP is a party that has shown commitment to addressing these issues, and it is only by working together that we can create the change our state desperately needs.”

Adding his voice, Engr. Tony Ogu of NLP, thanked the state SDP Chairman, Dr Eluwa for his kindness, and assured him of the support of members of the NLP, while the Deputy National Woman leader said ”We thank God for joining SDP, a party with structure that has no issues. We are going to see another face of nigeria, we are going to move this party forward.

The Owerri West Chairman of the SDP, Okey Ejimnkonye noted that ”Having observed your approach, you have the same spirit with members of SDP, and with you we are going to achieve a lot”.

The SDP Woman leader who expressed appreciation to the entrants said ”You people are wonderful, and my appeal is for our women to come out and participate fully”.

Both the state organizing secretary and the Owerri Municipal Chairman of the SDP, spoke extensively on the spread of tentacles, to enabling the party achieve the desired goal.

However, the SDP in the state under the leadership of Dr. Eluwa, had begun positioning itself as a viable alternative, focusing on grassroots engagement and community-led initiatives.

SDP was not just a party but a burgeoning coalition of hope, fostering a new political culture, where collective effort, not individual ambition, defined success.