Oluwatosin Enesi
Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 elections, has disavowed reports that former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai is representing the party in ongoing opposition coalition talks.
In a recent appearance on Channels TV, Adebayo clarified that El-Rufai does not have any mandate from the SDP leadership to engage in political negotiations on behalf of the party.
“The SDP is not involved in any coalition led by somebody else,” Adebayo said. “El-Rufai is not representing SDP in any coalition.”
El-Rufai, who left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in March and joined the SDP, has been vocal in calls for an opposition alliance to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. However, Adebayo emphasized that only the party leadership—specifically Alhaji Shehu Gabam and Olu Agunloye—can authorize such moves.
While distancing the party from unauthorized talks, Adebayo acknowledged that the SDP is considering its strategic options. “We are looking at various options. We realize that, at the end, we will need a viable political party to challenge the APC and a non-performing president,” he stated.
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