The Social Democratic Party, SDP, has adopted its 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, as its sole presidential flagbearer for the 2027 general election.
Adebayo emerged through a consensus arrangement at the party’s 2026 National Convention held on Saturday in Bauchi State. The motion for his adoption was moved by the Chairman of SDP State Chairmen and Lagos State Chairman, Femi Olaniyi Ferrari, and was unanimously endorsed by delegates.
The convention also produced a new set of national officers through a voice-vote process that party leaders described as orderly, transparent and consistent with the SDP constitution. Professor Sadiq Umar Gombe was affirmed as National Chairman, while Dr. Olu Agunloye was returned as National Secretary. Other officers elected included Araba Rufus Aiyenigba as National Publicity Secretary, Bello Adu Osunmi as National General Secretary, Barrister Akibola as National Legal Adviser, Barrister Joseph Abung as National Organising Secretary, Daniel Ibe as National Youth Leader, and Ajiya Sandra Ubakari as National Woman Leader.
Party officials said all candidates were screened before affirmation, adding that the consensus method was adopted to reduce internal friction and project unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
In his remarks, Convention Chairman Prof. Usman Bugaje praised delegates for their commitment but criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission and the judiciary, accusing some officials of allowing democratic institutions to be manipulated by powerful politicians. He said opposition parties were operating in a hostile environment and warned against attempts to shrink Nigeria’s political space.
National Secretary Agunloye said the SDP had resisted attempts by “self-serving politicians” and coalition interests to take over its structure. He said the party had undergone reforms, internal cleansing and constitutional reviews to strengthen discipline, restore ideological clarity and protect internal democracy.
Agunloye described the SDP as one of Nigeria’s oldest surviving political parties and said it remained rooted in social justice, equity and people-centred governance. He added that the party had won seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, state assemblies and local councils over the past four years.
In his acceptance remarks, Gombe pledged that the new leadership would operate within the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the party’s internal rules. He said the mandate given to the new National Working Committee would run from 2025 to 2030 and would be used to reposition the party for national relevance.
Adebayo’s adoption gives the SDP an early presidential standard-bearer as opposition parties begin realignments ahead of the 2027 contest.
