At about midday on Monday, 24 January 2022, Prof. Femi Olufunmilade, a renowned political scientist and professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies visited the national headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) at No 16, Nairobi Street, Wuse II, Abuja to submit his *Letter of Intent* to run for the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He said he was at the National Secretariat to formally present his _“interest in contesting the 2023 presidential election … on the ticket of our highly esteemed and ideologically grounded party – the Social Democratic Party (SDP)”_. On ground at the Secretariat to receive him were Dr. Olu Agunloye, the National Chairman; Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, National Secretary; Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba, National Publicity Secretary; Barr. Joseph Abu, National Legal Adviser; Hajia Maggie Mariam Batubo, National Women Leader and Hon. Chukwuma Ogbonna Uchechukwu, National Youth Leader.
The National Chairman warmly welcomed the presidential hopeful, and appreciated his decision to contest on the SDP platform which is *_“indeed the credible and viable alternative platform rooted in principles of social justice”_*. He assured the Professor that, _“all aspirants would be provided with a level playing ground and a credible process to contest for the flag of the party”._
After presenting his papers to Dr. Olu Agunloye, the aspiring president, scholar and activist from Ijebu North-East LG in Ogun State mounted the *“Green Carpet”* at the National Secretariat to address the Press to elaborate on his strategies to run for victory, and what he has in stock for Nigeria. He fielded questions from over thirty communications practitioners from TV, radio, print and social media including a UK station, BEN Tv that were present at the *Green Carpet Declaration.* After this, the Presidential Hopeful proceeded to record a 3-minute live broadcast at the *_NHQ SDP TV Studio._*
e-Signed
Amb Rufus Aiyenigba,
*National Publicity Secretary,*
Social Democratic Party, SDP.
24 January, 2022
