Former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, has chaired the inaugural strategic meeting of the Social Democratic Party’s presidential campaign council as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Mr Tanko, who was recently appointed National Coordinator of the Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Campaign Council, presided over the closed-door meeting on Thursday at the SDP national headquarters in Abuja.

His appointment came barely a week after he joined the party.

The meeting, which lasted more than three hours, brought together key operational heads and leaders of the campaign council to discuss strategies for mobilising support for the presidential ambition of the SDP candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.

A statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the council’s Chief Media and Communications Adviser, Adebayo Mark, said discussions focused on coordinating the various directorates and developing a nationwide grassroots mobilisation framework.

Nationwide mobilisation plan

Mr Mark said the proposed strategy would cover mobilisation across the six geopolitical zones, states, local government areas, wards and polling units.

He added that the campaign would also involve door-to-door and street-to-street engagements to strengthen the party’s grassroots presence.

Although the council declined to disclose specific details of its strategy, it called on SDP members and other stakeholders to unite behind Adebayo’s presidential ambition.

“I can’t disclose our strategic focus to the media at this point. However, Nigerians will soon witness the tough stuff our team is made of and the incredible leadership capabilities of Yunusa Tanko,” Mr Mark said.

He described Mr Tanko as experienced and committed to working towards what he called a free and advancing Nigeria under an Adewole Adebayo presidency.

SDP promises issue-based campaign

The campaign council reaffirmed its commitment to an issue-based and people-oriented campaign focused on national renewal and progress.

It said its approach would be built around what it described as the transformational leadership vision of Adebayo.

Mr Tanko previously served as Peter Obi’s spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement. He also worked as Obi’s Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria before resigning from the position on October 30, 2026.

The SDP appointed him National Coordinator of its Presidential Campaign Council on 11 November, following his resignation from Obi’s political team.

Mr Tanko has pledged to work with Adebayo and other party leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.