From Staff Writer
Prince Adewole Adebayo, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has issued a stern warning to opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Malam Nasir El-Rufai, cautioning them against using the party as a vehicle for their personal battles against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at the 50th birthday celebration of his wife, Queen Lillian Adebayo, in Abuja on Monday night, the legal expert emphasised that the SDP would not be used as a “getaway car” for any political conspiracy or schemes aimed at undermining the president.
Adebayo, who remains committed to his presidential ambitions for 2027, stressed that the SDP’s platform is not a place for personal political agendas. “My party knows I am running for the 2027 election. If the coalition is truly for the Nigerian people, we are open to it. But if it is merely a haven for those disgruntled with Tinubu, they should resolve their differences within their ranks, not use the SDP as a pawn,” he said.
The statement comes amidst growing tensions within opposition circles ahead of the 2027 general elections, with some figures seeking to unite against the incumbent administration. However, Adebayo made it clear that the SDP would not be a tool for personal gain or political infighting.
In his address, Adebayo also spoke out on the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, particularly the recent killings in Benue and Plateau states. He called for a reassessment of the nation’s security architecture to better address the growing threats across the country.
Meanwhile, Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), also weighed in on the ongoing coalition discussions among opposition parties. While he expressed support for opposition movements in a democratic context, Sowore was critical of the credibility of the leaders involved in the current coalition talks, citing the involvement of former members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including ex-Buhari administration figures.
“I support coalitions, but not those led by individuals like El-Rufai. When the time comes, they’ll return to their former positions,” Sowore stated. He further remarked that the APC itself had been a coalition and suggested that the current opposition grouping resembled a “union of prisoners,” a nod to the former APC members now seeking to form a new alliance.
The growing discontent within opposition ranks was echoed by Hon. Femi Olaniyi Ferrari, Chairman of the SDP State Chairmen Forum and Lagos Chairman, who emphasised the SDP’s role in offering a solution to Nigeria’s challenges. “Nigerians are struggling, and the change we were promised has only brought disappointment. The SDP is the party that can help address these issues,” Ferrari said.
As the polity heat up ahead of the 2027 elections, Adebayo’s firm stance signals that the SDP is positioning itself as a serious alternative to the current ruling party, free from the influence of personal political vendettas.
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