As the 2027 presidential election draws closer, political realignments are underway, with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) emerging as a key player. The party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, revealed that several aspirants have already expressed interest in running under the SDP’s banner.
“We have eight presidential aspirants; it could be 10. Seven of them are on our platform,” Agunloye said on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande.
Supporters of Labour Party’s 2023 candidate, Peter Obi, have also approached the party, hinting at a potential defection. “Obi’s people came to us to say if Obi comes, would you take him? Of course, we told them: ‘Yes,’” Agunloye disclosed.
Meanwhile, opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Obi, and ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, have formed a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the next election. They are leveraging their combined 2023 votes, which exceeded Tinubu’s total.
El-Rufai’s defection has drawn further interest in the SDP. “Several people called and said they don’t know El-Rufai, but because he came, they want to come,” Agunloye noted.
Despite the influx of political heavyweights, he stressed that the party would maintain balance. “Just imagine Peter Obi, Atiku, El-Rufai, (Attahiru) Bafarawa on the same platform—you have to find a balance,” he said.
As the race intensifies, the SDP is positioning itself as a major force, with its leadership focused on maintaining party structure and unity.
