The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, indicated that he might consider stepping down for Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2027 general election, as discussions to build a united opposition against President Bola Tinubu were gaining momentum.
According to The Guardian, it was reported that he ruled out the possibility of withdrawing in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Adebayo disclosed that “serious, quiet and honourable” consultations were already taking place among key opposition figures who were committed to rescuing Nigeria from what he described as a failing administration.
He said, “I like what Obi is doing. He is serious-minded, focused and committed. These are not photo-op meetings; they are real, meaningful conversations aimed at political change.”
When he was pressed on whether he would personally step down for Peter Obi in a future alliance, Adebayo said, “That’ll come later. But from what I see, I like what he’s doing.”
Adewole Adebayo dismissed recent political defections and loud declarations as mere distractions, emphasizing that genuine change would stem from strategic collaboration rather than empty rhetoric. He was forthright in his criticism of President Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of squandering the goodwill it enjoyed at the outset. Adebayo asserted that Nigerians had given the president two years to prove himself, but in his view, he was failing. If the trend continued, he warned, the public would eventually remove him from office.
His comments intensified speculation about the formation of a formidable opposition coalition, potentially with Peter Obi leading a reinvigorated movement to challenge the current political establishment in 2027. When asked about the possibility of the SDP being absorbed into a larger alliance to oppose the incumbent government, Adebayo insisted that neither he nor former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had the authority to dictate the party’s direction.
He clarified that he would not step down, and Atiku had not suggested anyone should do so either. Adebayo stressed that the SDP belonged to the Nigerian people and could not be controlled by any individual. He explained that those who shared the party’s values and ideologies were welcome to join, noting that the party’s openness and democratic structure made it an attractive platform for genuine political engagement.
Adebayo also addressed reports linking Nasir el-Rufai to opposition coalition talks on behalf of the SDP. He firmly denied the claim, stating that el-Rufai had no mandate from the party to participate in such discussions. According to Adebayo, the party, led by Shehu Gabam and Olu Agunloye, was not involved in any coalition being spearheaded by another political figure. He emphasized that no such assignment had been given to him or to el-Rufai.
