The Social Democratic Party (SDP) says it has set strategies and agenda in motion to take over the reins of power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party, which had on Thursday announced the members of its Interim National Working Committee (NWC) at a press conference in Abuja, made this known on Sunday in a statement released by its National Spokesperson, Adakole Ijogi.

The party said the APC lacked political maturity and capacity to rule and revealed that it would hold a non-elective convention next month to welcome and accommodate anyone who wishes to join the party.

The statement read: “Arising from its maiden National Communications Strategy briefing, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has resolved to set the agenda for the next round of elections and stir the conversation towards the yearning of Nigerians for a better governed nation.

“It identified these to be primarily on a restructured, balanced, equitable and truly functional Nigerian Federation; a humane, free, self-reliant and democratic society; an inclusive, productive, pro-growth and sustainable economy; just fair, egalitarian and peaceful nation; a land of opportunities for all Nigerians and national culture of raising effective leaders through mentoring of young people.

“The meeting also unanimously resolved to be issued based in all its media and communications engagements, in its bid to firmly re-position the Social Democratic Party, which is the only ideology driven political party in Nigeria.

“On the nation-wide Roll Out, after the Non-Elective Convention in April 2018, it was also unanimously agreed that the youth, women and emerging leaders would drive the process, as the internal political space within the party has been deliberately designed to accommodate these very important demography.

“The need to promote the party’s manifesto in a clear and easy to comprehend format was agreed, with strategic emphasis placed on the party’s stands on a new governance model for Nigeria that will make welfare, citizens’ rights and the rule of law the epicenter of its programs.

“However, it also observed that the gross lack of capacity in managing the economy and the political immaturity in governance by the APC-led administration has brought untold hardship, increased sectarian violence and polarized the nation into ethnic and religious camps, in fact the last three years has been tales of disillusionment, despair and disenchantment.”

While assuring Nigerians that all hope was not lost, the statement added that the SDP as a party had come to guide the nation back into the path of prosperity, progress and unity and expressed the willingness and ability of the party to govern the nation at all levels.