Prince Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 general elections has described the recent defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, to the party as a significant step in the party’s expansion ahead of the 2027 elections.
Adebayo, in an exclusive interview, stated that El-Rufai’s defection is part of a larger wave of political realignments, with more politicians, including members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties, quietly aligning with the SDP.
Dismissing the notion that El-Rufai is merely a high-profile catch for the party, Adebayo described him as a “fellow fisherman” in the mission to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges.
He revealed that the SDP has been steadily attracting influential figures, including former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa.
However, he refrained from disclosing further names, noting that many politicians prefer to announce their defections on their own terms.
“The SDP is becoming a viable platform for those who recognize the urgency of Nigeria’s situation. Many leaders are already with us, and more will join. We are offering a fair and credible alternative to the APC and other parties,” Adebayo stated.
Addressing speculation about what the SDP offered to attract El-Rufai and other prominent figures, Adebayo insisted that patriotism, not personal ambition, was the key motivator.
“El-Rufai is a man of immense talent and courage. We engaged him on how he could contribute to nation-building through the SDP. He saw the potential of our platform, and he joined,” Adebayo explained.
The SDP leader also dismissed claims that El-Rufai’s entry was tied to a secret presidential ambition, emphasizing that the party welcomes all qualified individuals under a transparent and competitive process.
“If El-Rufai eventually decides to run, it means I will have to defeat him to become president. But for now, our discussions have been focused on solving Nigeria’s problems, not individual ambitions,” he stated.
As political realignments continue, Adebayo positioned the SDP as more than just an opposition party, asserting that it is the “true face of Nigeria’s next government.”
He highlighted the party’s commitment to discipline, fairness, and a structured political process free from bribery and favoritism.
“Our goal is not just to oppose but to provide real leadership. Nigerians are beginning to see that the SDP has always been a credible alternative. More people who previously overlooked us are now realizing we were right all along,” Adebayo said.
With El-Rufai’s defection and the influx of other political heavyweights, the SDP appears poised to become a major force in the 2027 elections, challenging the dominance of both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
