On Wednesday, protesters gathered outside the national headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Abuja, calling for the removal of Olu Agunloye from his position as national secretary.
Gatekeepers News reports that the demonstrators accused Agunloye, who previously served as the minister of power and steel, of effectively mismanaging the party.
They demanded that he step down as he addresses charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Agunloye is currently facing prosecution related to a $6 billion contract for the Mambilla hydropower project.
The EFCC has alleged that he awarded the contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL) on May 22, 2003, without proper budgetary provisions or necessary approvals. Furthermore, the commission claims that he received 5.212 million naira from SPTCL, along with payments from Leno Adesanya, the company’s promoter, through Jide Abiodun Sotinrin.
Despite these accusations, Agunloye has pleaded not guilty to the seven charges brought against him.
Some of the placards brandished by the protesters at the SDP headquarters read: “Clear your name or resign” and “Dr. Agunloye, face your EFCC cases and stop embarrassing SDP!”
Other placards had the following inscriptions: “Don’t destroy SDP! Dr. Agunloye’s EFCC case is destroying SDP! Resign now and give us a chance,” and “Save SDP’s legacy! Dr. Agunloye must resign immediately! We demand change for a better future!”
