2027: Adewole secures SDP presidential nomination for another term

The Social Democratic Party has once again chosen Adewole Adebayo as its presidential candidate, this time for the 2027 election, through a consensus arrangement at the party's national convention in Bauchi, the Bauchi State capital, on Saturday.

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Prof Sadiq Gombe was also endorsed as the National Chairman of the party during the event, which marked the beginning of the SDP's preparations for the 2027 polls, following motions moved by party leaders and supported by delegates.

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Adebayo addressed the convention, lamenting the country's economic hardship and the unfair perception of many hardworking Nigerians as lazy due to prevailing conditions, while also highlighting the struggles of Nigerians abroad who are forced into difficult conditions in foreign countries despite having a homeland.

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He criticized what he described as poor leadership and warned against a drift towards one-man rule, emphasizing the need for a vibrant multi-party system in Nigeria, and also alleged undue interference in political processes, commending the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, for allowing the convention to hold without disruption.

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Adebayo urged Nigerians to exercise their democratic rights to effect change, stressing that the country's challenges require collective action and responsible leadership, as he criticized the government's economic policies for making hardworking Nigerians appear lazy.

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He questioned the rationale behind Nigerians seeking livelihoods abroad, asking "Why am I in China hiding from immigration just to earn a living when I have a country of my own?", and emphasized the need for a vibrant multi-party system in Nigeria.

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Speaking shortly after being sworn in alongside other members of the National Working Committee, Gombe said the party remained the most qualified platform to take over leadership in Nigeria, thanking party members and delegates for the confidence reposed in him.

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Gombe pledged transparent, committed, and patriotic leadership in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, and the party's constitution, adding that the SDP would not take Nigerians for granted and that the country urgently needed upright and transparent leadership.

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He assured Nigerians that the SDP would provide the needed alternative platform for the rescue mission of the country, saying "We want to assure Nigerians that the SDP will provide the needed alternative platform for the rescue mission of this country".

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Earlier, the Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Usman Bugaje, criticized the state of governance in the country, citing insecurity, high petrol prices, poor infrastructure, unemployment, and widespread poverty as major challenges, and commended party members for remaining steadfast despite prevailing hardship.

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Bugaje accused the ruling party of attempting to suppress the opposition and shrink the democratic space, alleging that institutions such as the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission had become tools in the hands of politicians, and described the convention's theme as a reflection of the party's resolve to provide an alternative rooted in social democratic ideals and competent leadership.

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He emphasized that while other parties recycle leaders linked to the country's challenges, the SDP is presenting fresh candidates committed to national development, and said "The attempt by the ruling party to block the political space and eliminate competition and opposition is one of the most despicable offences today".

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The newly elected National Working Committee members include Prof. Sadiq Gombe as National Chairman, Senator Ugochukwu Uba as Deputy National Chairman (South), Olu Agunloye as National Secretary, and Hajiya Mariam Batubo as National Treasurer, among others.

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Agunloye, speaking at the convention, said the party had successfully resisted attempts by "self-serving politicians" to hijack its structure, declaring that the SDP was now repositioned as a formidable opposition force ahead of the 2027 elections, and emphasized that the party had undergone significant reforms over the past four years.

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He described the SDP as Nigeria's second oldest surviving political party after the People's Redemption Party, noting its foundation in social justice and ideological politics, and said the party had reviewed its constitution in 2018 and 2022 and carried out internal cleansing to enforce discipline and protect the supremacy of its constitution.

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Agunloye added that the party had secured major court victories against the Independent National Electoral Commission over alleged unlawful interference and had commenced establishing model secretariats across the country, saying "All positions in the 2027 general elections will be contested".

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He expressed confidence that the SDP would show itself as perhaps the most credible political party and a strong member of the opposition, saying "At any moment from now, the SDP will show itself as perhaps the most credible political party and a strong member of the opposition".