The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo said opposition parties can collaborate to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections without necessarily fielding a single consensus candidate.
Adebayo spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja amid ongoing discussions among opposition parties on possible collaboration ahead of the polls scheduled for January 16 2027.
Six parties – the SDP African Democratic Congress (ADC) Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) – are reportedly discussing the possibility of presenting a consensus candidate against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Addressing the discussions Adebayo said opposition cooperation should focus on shared democratic principles rather than merely negotiating power-sharing arrangements.
He identified strengthening the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) curbing vote-buying and preventing electoral fraud as key priorities.
‘The attitude of the SDP is that cooperation is very important particularly in the area of working together to ensure that nobody is rigging anybody out’ he said.
On how the parties could work together at the grassroots Adebayo pointed to the need for joint vigilance at polling stations across the country on election day.
‘If for example there are nine political parties present all the nine different agents they have in the voting unit each one will not only defend the votes for his party but will also defend the entire process’ he explained stressing that protecting the credibility of the ballot box serves every democratic contender.
While acknowledging calls from certain political quarters for a unified opposition front to challenge President Tinubu at the polls Adebayo expressed reservations about treating a merger or single candidate as a magic bullet.
‘For those who feel who believe that we will only succeed if we have a single candidate well I don’t agree with them’ he asserted.
He reiterated that the SDP remains open to strategic cooperation with any political entity genuinely committed to free fair and credible elections insisting that the primary focus must remain on ensuring the 2027 elections are transparent and unmanipulated.
Turning to his party’s ideological foundation and national platform Adebayo said the SDP’s roadmap for governance is anchored in Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which mandates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
He highlighted the widespread hardship and security challenges facing the nation pointing out that addressing poverty and insecurity remains central to the SDP’s vision for Nigeria.
To bridge the gap between policy and citizens Adebayo said the SDP has translated its national manifesto into major Nigerian languages including Hausa Igbo and Yoruba as well as other indigenous dialects. He urged media practitioners and the general electorate to critically examine the document and judge political parties based on substance and solutions rather than rhetoric.
Concluding on an optimistic note regarding Nigeria’s democratic journey the SDP presidential candidate reaffirmed his party’s resolve to remain an unwavering voice for governance reform and popular welfare.
‘Our confidence in the future of Nigeria is unshakable. Our commitment to seeing through this democratic process is unshakable’ Adebayo declared.