Crystabel Ukwuegbu
Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has expressed his willingness to withdraw from the 2027 race if a more capable candidate emerges within his party.
During an interview on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, aired on Channels Television, Adebayo emphasized that while he has political aspirations, the ultimate goal is to ensure Nigeria gets the best leadership.
“I am a very ambitious person , as everyone knows, and I’m actively working towards them. However, the future is uncertain, and only God determines what happens in 2027,” he stated.
He further added, “My prayer is that if there is someone better suited to solve Nigeria’s problems, my personal ambition should not stand in the way. Our focus should be on building a country that works for everyone.”
Adebayo assured Nigerians that the SDP is committed to presenting a candidate that will inspire confidence and unite the country beyond ethnic and religious divides.
A Call for Unity and a Strong Alternative
Highlighting the SDP’s approach, he pointed out that the party aims to avoid deepening divisions along religious or ethnic lines.
“What was once a simple discussion—religion and ethnicity—has now become highly sensitive. The SDP will not be used as a platform to divide Nigerians,” he said. “We are working towards a system where the choice we make in the SDP will bring nationwide excitement, giving people hope that a real alternative exists.”
As the 2027 elections approach, discussions about a potential inter-party alliance have intensified. This gained momentum on March 20, 2025, when key opposition figures—including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai—announced a coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu, whose administration has faced criticism over economic mismanagement, rising inflation, and high living costs.
The coalition is banking on the combined electoral strength of Atiku and Obi, who secured over 12 million votes in the 2023 election—four million more than the total votes credited towards Tinubu by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, internal conflicts within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), as well as grievances among some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have made the SDP an attractive option for some politicians.
The SDP’s Growing Influence
El-Rufai and some of his allies have already joined the SDP, fueling speculation that Atiku and Obi may follow suit. However, neither politician has publicly confirmed such a move.
‘We Will Cleanse Incoming Members’ – Adebayo
Adebayo welcomed new members into the SDP but stressed that the party would ensure they align with its principles before fully integrating them.
“If you are joining the SDP, you must be willing to go through a purification process—not because we do not respect you, but because you are coming from environments filled with political contamination,” he explained.
Drawing an analogy, he said, “It’s like during COVID-19 when you visited a friend’s house—you had to be disinfected before entering to prevent spreading infections.”
He emphasized that the SDP is built on a solid foundation with a well-structured constitution and guidelines that prioritize service to Nigerians over personal ambitions, money politics, and ethnic or religious bias.
Those joining the SDP, Adebayo noted, have spoken about the challenges they faced in their former parties.
“When Peter Obi left the PDP, he cited corruption and injustice. El-Rufai has openly spoken about how he was treated unfairly in the APC. Atiku, too, has faced issues with internal party support,” he stated.
While acknowledging the difficulties these politicians have endured, Adebayo reiterated that the SDP is focused on serving the Nigerian people, not just politicians.
He urged prospective members to familiarize themselves with the party’s constitution and follow due process by registering at the ward level.
