SDP accuses APC of stealing its slogan, reports to INEC

The Social Democratic Party has accused the All Progressives Congress of stealing its slogan: “Progress.”
The APC had on Saturday announced during its National Convention in Abuja the change of its slogan to “Progress” after using “Change” since its formation before the 2015 election.
The National Secretary of the SDP, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, who briefed newsmen on Monday on the development in Abuja, said the alleged infraction had been reported to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Gabam said “Progress” was the slogan the party registered with INEC at the point of registration.
He said: “We kindly wish to bring to your attention the illegal adoption of our slogan of ‘progress’ in response to the chant of ‘APC’ at their recent convention in Abuja on June 22 and June 23, 2019, at the Eagle Square.
“You may please refer to our records which show clearly that our constitution of 2010 amended in 2012 and registered with INEC prior to the advent of the APC contains our slogan in Article 5.
“Also, in our recent NEC meeting of May 30, 2018, in which INEC was in attendance, it (INEC) upheld our slogan in Article 5 (5.1) of 2018 amended SDP constitution. It is, therefore, unacceptable that the APC is allowed to adopt our slogan with a long history of registration with INEC.”
Gabam called on INEC not to approve the adoption of its slogan by the APC in the interest of peace, justice and fairness and in order not to confuse the electorate.
He said: “We have written to INEC to draw their attention to that. Whether it was intentional or a mistake, we feel that this thing should be documented officially for record purposes so that we will not be accused of not raising the issue.
“A riding horse, which is the SDP logo, symbolises progress. A broom does not symbolise progress.”
Gabam also advised the ruling party to stop exploiting the June 12, 1993 saga for personal gain.
He noted that it was on the platform of the SDP that the late Chief MKO Abiola rode to victory.
He added: “They are also trying to exploit the sympathy (evoked) by June 12 where our hero, the late MKO Abiola, was honoured along with other personalities. They are trying to use the sentiment and the political sympathy to the advantage of the APC.”