Atiku & Obi, interested in joining the SDP in preparation for the upcoming 2027

Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate from the 2023 election, announced that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are in negotiations to join the SDP. Adebayo made this statement during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, April 6, 2025. 

He mentioned that numerous politicians, including Atiku and Obi, are interested in joining the SDP in preparation for the upcoming 2027 general election. This announcement follows former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai's recent departure from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to join the SDP. In the interview, Adebayo said, "People are joining my party, and we are welcoming them. You can see how actively I am involved in this process. The only minor challenge we face is changing the culture of those who have not previously been in environments where rules are strictly observed. "Some of them have been involved in questionable practices, but we are addressing that. 

We are open to welcoming everyone into the party. All the individuals you mentioned—El-Rufai, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi—are on their way. Many others are also joining, and we will embrace them." When asked to clarify Peter Obi's potential membership in the SDP, Adebayo stated, "As of now, it's not official until someone formally joins. However, I've heard from various sources, including the Financial Secretary, that discussions are ongoing. We will welcome everyone who is interested. "Indeed, if they come in, and we ensure that we don't create a chaotic environment and adhere to the rules, allowing one individual to emerge transparently and fairly—just as we executed our convention in 2022, which was applauded for its transparency without any legal disputes or crises. Adebayo expressed confidence that the SDP could triumph over the ruling APC in the 2027 election, asserting, "If we maintain our principles and present a viable alternative to the Nigerian people, we will decisively defeat the APC and retire President Tinubu to Lagos or wherever he prefers in Nigeria."