The Social Democratic Party on Saturday launched a fierce criticism of the ruling All Progressives Congress, accusing the party of shrinking democratic space, manipulating state institutions and attempting to weaken opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general election.
The opposition party also formally adopted its 2023 presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, as its consensus presidential flag bearer for the 2027 election.
The decisions were taken during the SDP’s 2026 National Convention held in Bauchi, where Professor Sadiq Gombe emerged as the newly elected National Chairman of the party.
Party leaders accused the federal government of allegedly using the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission as political instruments while implementing policies they claimed had worsened economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity and rising food prices across the country.
Chairman of the convention, Professor Usman Bugaje, told delegates that Nigeria was gradually drifting toward authoritarianism, warning that attempts to suppress opposition parties would eventually fail.
According to him, despite economic hardship and political intimidation, many Nigerians remained determined to reclaim the country from what he described as failed leadership.
“Congratulations for the courage of conviction and for standing out from a timid and spineless crowd running to take shelter in a ruling party that has stolen this country dry while leaving Nigerians in excruciating poverty and utter misery,” Bugaje declared.
He further alleged that democratic institutions were increasingly being turned into political tools in the hands of leaders desperate to retain power.
“National institutions like the judiciary and democratic institutions like INEC have become tools in the hands of unscrupulous politicians, tossed around like chess pieces,” he said.
“The attempt by the ruling party to block political space and eliminate opposition is one of the most despicable offences in a democracy.”
Drawing comparisons with Nigeria’s military era, Bugaje referenced former Head of State Sani Abacha, arguing that authoritarian tendencies had historically failed despite the power behind them.
“Only a quarter of a century ago, General Abacha, with all his military might, detained who he could and did what he could, yet he could not achieve what he wanted,” he stated.
In a related address, SDP National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, said the party had resisted attempts by “self-serving politicians and coalition forces” to hijack its structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
Presenting the State of the Party address, Agunloye disclosed that the SDP had undertaken internal reforms and disciplinary measures aimed at restoring order and protecting the party’s ideological foundation.
“The party survived the siege of takeover attempts by self-serving politicians and agents of coalition who reacted violently to the internal cleansing activities,” he said.
According to him, the SDP had successfully repositioned itself as a credible national opposition platform.
“Our party has been able to reclaim and re-establish itself and has been brought back to its original owners,” he added.
Agunloye further revealed that the party had recorded electoral successes over the last four years, winning seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, state assemblies and local governments across different parts of the country.
He also stated that the SDP secured legal victories against INEC over what the party described as unlawful interference in its internal affairs.
The convention produced a new National Working Committee through voice votes conducted in line with the party’s constitution, with Professor Gombe and several other officers elected unopposed.
In his acceptance speech, Gombe pledged to provide disciplined and transparent leadership guided strictly by constitutional provisions.
“Nigeria today is bleeding and in dire need of upright, committed and patriotic leadership. We are not going to take anything for granted,” he said.
The newly elected officials later took the oath of office, pledging loyalty to the party and commitment to its unity, integrity and growth.
Convention organisers stated that the exercise complied fully with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, noting that the electoral commission had been duly notified within the mandatory 21-day period required by law.
Party leaders described the convention as peaceful and transparent, adding that it marked a significant step toward strengthening the SDP ahead of the 2027 political contest.
Meanwhile, delegates at the convention unanimously endorsed Adewole Adebayo as the party’s consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The motion for his adoption was initially moved by the Lagos State Chairman of the SDP and later supported by party chairmen from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The endorsement effectively positions Adebayo as the SDP’s standard bearer ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive presidential race.
Addressing delegates, Adebayo declared that he was “anointed by God” to provide what he described as a strong opposition to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the next general election.
He said Nigerians were facing worsening hardship, insecurity, unemployment and poor governance, insisting that the country urgently needed a new direction.
According to him, many young graduates remained unemployed years after completing their education, while ordinary citizens continued to struggle with hunger and limited access to healthcare.
“The answer is that God is taking His time to give us a day like this. I am anointed by God to give President Tinubu a befitting opposition,” Adebayo said.
He also accused the APC of suppressing internal democracy and attempting to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 polls.
“What we are doing here, they cannot do it. They wait for one person to choose everybody for them. We need different political parties that believe in different things,” he stated
