SDP Activate Structures, Targets All Elective Seats In 2027

The Social Democratic Party, (SDP), has activated its structures nationwide and declared its intention to contest all elective positions in the 2027 general elections.

National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Gombe, made the declaration at the party’s National Convention in Abuja, saying the meeting was proof of the party’s resilience.

“We have faced obstacles at almost every turn and we remain focused. Today we demonstrate that the Social Democratic Party remains organized, strong and united,” he said.

He emphasized that the SDP will field candidates for the presidency, 109 senate seats, 360 House of Representatives seats, 28 governorships and 1,015 state assembly seats.

“No individual is bigger than the party,” he added.

According to him, officials are already being trained across the six geopolitical zones to strengthen the party from the grassroots.

“We must engage Nigerians with humility, integrity and sincerity of purpose. We must mobilize our youth and women,” Gombe stated.

He said the party’s alternative agenda is built on four pillars: security, productive employment, social justice and accountable governance.

Gombe cited the unveiling of the policy document by the presidential ticket of Prince Adewole Adebayo and Dr. Usman Bugaje as proof that the SDP is ready to govern.

Similarly, the Presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, set the tone of the convention by blaming leadership for Nigeria’s poverty.

“God gave Nigeria wealth, leaders gave poverty,” he said.

Adebayo said the country has no justification to remain poor with its oil, gas and mineral endowment.

He recalled the SDP’s origin during the Babangida era and its victory in 1993 with MKO Abiola.

“That mandate was denied. The poverty we set out to defeat has grown and consumed another generation,” he stated.

The presidential candidate argued that Nigeria is richer than many nations combined.

“Some countries in Europe and Asia would exchange themselves for Nigeria. We have more oil and gas than entire continents. God did not make a mistake creating Nigeria,” he said.

Adebayo said the crisis is not about resources but about leadership. “You can hijack an office without being a leader. What Nigeria needs is leadership that listens and serves,” he noted.

He drew a line between the SDP and other parties. “The only thing we share with other parties is INEC. We are here for one reason: to fix the country and give Nigerians a government they can be proud of,” Adebayo said.

He also called for a National Assembly that will work with an SDP government and directed party leaders to begin door-to-door campaigns.

“Our mission is simple: farewell to poverty and insecurity. Let us stamp our generation’s name in history,” he added.

Speaking for the governorship candidates, former IGP Mohammed Adamu, who is also contesting for the governorship seat in Nasarawa State, urged party leaders to take the campaign to the grassroots.

He called on supporters and state chairmen to mobilize voters in their communities ahead of 2027.

Adamu said the work must start now with support for each state’s gubernatorial candidate.

“Victory in 2027 will depend on the party’s ability to connect directly with voters at the grassroots and deliver the SDP message of ending poverty and insecurity,” he said.

For his part, Oba Olaitan Oladipo, representing Afenifere at the convention, , warned against social class barriers that push young Nigerians into desperation.

The monarch said exclusion breeds crime. “If you don’t belong to that class, you become a target. Young men are staking their lives and their families in business just to survive,” he said.

Oba Oladipo urged Nigerians to speak up instead of murmuring in secret.

“If you are talking, someone will listen. When you speak out, they know where you stand,” he stated.