The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, has again emerged as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.
Mr Adebayo was adopted through a consensus arrangement during the SDP national convention held on Saturday in Bauchi.
The convention also endorsed Sadiq Gombe as the National Chairman of the party, setting the stage for the SDP’s preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adebayo decries economic hardship
In his address, Mr Adebayo criticised the country’s economic conditions, arguing that many hardworking Nigerians were unfairly perceived as lazy due to worsening hardship.
“For many who are working very hard, the economic policies of the government of the day make them look lazy because when they go home, their children ask why there is no food, why school fees are unpaid, and why sick relatives cannot access healthcare,” he said.
He also lamented the plight of Nigerians abroad.
“Why am I in China hiding from immigration just to earn a living when I have a country of my own?” he asked.
Warning against one-party dominance
Mr Adebayo warned against what he described as a drift toward one-man rule, insisting that Nigeria requires a vibrant multi-party democracy to survive.
He accused unnamed actors of interfering in political processes and commended Bala Mohammed for allowing the convention to hold peacefully.
He urged Nigerians to use democratic means to drive national change, stressing that responsible leadership is needed to tackle the country’s challenges.
SDP promises alternative leadership
Speaking after being sworn in alongside members of the National Working Committee, Mr Gombe said the SDP remained the most qualified platform to lead Nigeria.
“We want to assure Nigerians that the SDP will provide the needed alternative platform for the rescue mission of this country,” he said.
Mr Gombe pledged transparent and patriotic leadership in line with the Nigerian Constitution, Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.
Convention committee criticises governance
Earlier, the Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Usman Bugaje, criticised the current state of governance in the country.
Mr Bugaje cited insecurity, high petrol prices, unemployment, poor infrastructure and poverty as major national concerns.
“The attempt by the ruling party to block the political space and eliminate competition and opposition is one of the most despicable offences today,” he said.
Opposition parties have increasingly accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of shrinking democratic space ahead of the 2027 elections.
Mr Bugaje also alleged that institutions such as the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission were being manipulated for political purposes.
SDP claims internal reforms and stability
The party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, said the SDP had resisted attempts by “self-serving politicians” to hijack the party.
“The party survived the siege of takeover attempts by self-serving politicians and agents of coalition,” he said.
Mr Agunloye stated that the SDP had undergone reforms aimed at restoring discipline, strengthening internal democracy and protecting the party’s ideological identity.
He added that the SDP had secured court victories against INEC over alleged unlawful interference and was expanding its organisational structures nationwide.
“At any moment from now, the SDP will show itself as perhaps the most credible political party and a strong member of the opposition,” he said.
Newly elected SDP national working committee
Members of the newly elected National Working Committee include:
National Chairman — Prof. Sadiq Gombe
Deputy National Chairman (South) — Senator Ugochukwu Uba
National Secretary — Olu Agunloye
National Treasurer — Hajiya Mariam Batubo
National Organising Secretary — Joseph Abu
National Publicity Secretary — Araba Aiyenigba
National Legal Adviser — Aderemi Abimbola
National Financial Secretary — Bello Hussaini
National Woman Leader — Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdullahi
National Youth Leader — Daniel Ibe
National Society Secretary — Mrs Rosemary Effiong
Leader of Persons With Disabilities — Chief Lekan Alabi
SDP positions for 2027
Mr Agunloye maintained that all elective positions in the 2027 elections would be contested by the party.
“The horse is galloping and is on its way to national recognition,” he said.
The development further signals intensifying political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, as opposition parties reposition themselves to challenge the ruling APC.
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