IN recent weeks, political activities have intensified in Nigeria as parties and politicians prepare for the 2027 general elections.
The Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) 2023 presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has firmly stated he will not step aside for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the upcoming elections.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Adebayo dismissed rumors of an opposition coalition involving the SDP being formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu.
Adebayo emphasized that neither he nor Atiku can “control” the SDP, which he described as belonging to the Nigerian people and open to all who share its ideology. He rejected the idea that the party can be “used” by any individual, but welcomed alliances based on respect for the SDP’s principles.
Although he acknowledged Atiku’s political experience, Adebayo noted that Atiku has not personally reached out to discuss any coalition plans, adding that the former VP has been presidentially active for over 30 years and would communicate directly when ready.
On speculations about a coalition led by Atiku and Nasir El-Rufai to oust President Tinubu, Adebayo said everyone opposes Tinubu’s re-election and claimed he is committed more than anyone else to unseating the President. He left the question of his electability to Nigerian voters and insisted Tinubu is no match for the people.
Responding to whether the ruling APC should be worried, Adebayo advised them to focus on serving Nigerians rather than election outcomes. He criticized the government’s poor handling of insecurity and poverty, stressing that the presidency is not a monarchy but a responsibility to improve citizens’ lives.
Recent weeks have seen intense political maneuvering ahead of 2027. Atiku has publicly supported forming a broad opposition coalition and confirmed talks with Labour Party’s Peter Obi and ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently joined the SDP. However, not all PDP leaders support this coalition, with some expressing concerns over its impact on party unity.
Peter Obi has rejected coalitions formed only to seize power, insisting any alliance must focus on solving Nigeria’s challenges.
Though El-Rufai defected from the APC to the SDP citing dissatisfaction, the SDP leadership states no formal alliance currently exists with him or Atiku.
Meanwhile, party defections continue: Six House of Representatives members from Delta State left the PDP for the APC, and former Delta governor and Atiku’s 2023 running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, joined the APC in April, surprising many. The Labour Party has also seen some defections to the APC.