The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has ruled out the possibility of dissolving into any coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting it will present a credible and competitive presidential candidate.
National Publicity Secretary of the SDP, Mr. Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, made this known in an interview, describing the party as the second oldest in Nigeria after the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
He said the SDP is now better structured and more united than it was in 2023.
“The Social Democratic Party is in good shape and getting better positioned to go into the 2027 general elections and beyond,” Aiyenigba said.
“The party has recently gone through an important internal reform process to cleanse itself, self-regulate, restructure, and strengthen its national structure.”
He revealed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) was fully reconstituted on May 15, with all statutory members in place. On June 24, the NWC carried out what he described as a “major cleansing operation,” which led to the suspension of National Chairman Alhaji Shehu Gabam and two others over allegations of maladministration and constitutional breaches.
“It didn’t just happen overnight. He began to evade, run away from meetings. Between 2022 and now, he did not convene NEC meetings for once,” Aiyenigba said.
He noted that under the party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman from Gabam’s zone, Abubakar Gombe, stepped in as Acting National Chairman, a move he said was in line with party rules.
Aiyenigba added that the party’s national convention will take place early next year and dismissed claims of factionalism.
“There is no faction in the SDP going by the law, INEC’s position, and even the security. Police and INEC records recognize Dr. Olu Agunloye as the party’s National Secretary,” he stated.
On coalition talks, Aiyenigba said the SDP had been approached by political actors seeking alliances but rejected demands that would undermine the party’s identity.
“All of the talk about coalition is about individuals who are embittered and fixated on becoming president at all cost. They wanted nine positions out of a 15-man NWC, including the National Chairman and National Secretary, and we said no, no matter the amount of money,” he said.
He stressed that while the SDP is open to collaborations that serve a national interest, it will not accept any deal that would erase its name, logo, or structure.
“SDP is not going to be subdued by any merger or dissolve into any existing political party,” he insisted.
Speaking on the 2027 elections, Aiyenigba said the SDP’s presidential ticket would be keenly contested, assuring that the eventual candidate would be someone capable of representing the party effectively.
He noted that Prince Adewale Adebayo, the party’s 2023 flagbearer, remains politically active and may seek the ticket again.
On INEC’s conduct during recent bye-elections, Aiyenigba expressed disappointment, citing widespread vote-buying and ballot box stuffing.
“INEC did not really do well. Vote-buying was rampant, people stuffing ballot boxes, and there are videos of infractions,” he lamented, calling for deep electoral reforms.
“We must be deliberate and intentional about it because if the election is not fair and the process is not credible, you cannot get the will of the people.”
