In a political development that could reshape Nigeria’s opposition landscape, Prince Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democratic Party (SDP)’s presidential flag bearer in the 2023 elections, has confirmed that preliminary talks are underway involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, regarding their potential move to the SDP.
Speaking during a live interview on Sunday Politics, Adebayo disclosed that although no official defection has occurred, "serious discussions are ongoing through their respective associates." He emphasized that the Social Democratic Party is open to welcoming new entrants, but only those who genuinely share the party’s ideology of social justice, democratic reform, and national unity.
According to him, “We are not just throwing our doors open for everyone. We’re holding meaningful conversations with individuals and groups who understand what the SDP stands for and are ready to work within that framework. There is a vetting process, not in terms of personalities, but in alignment with principles.”
The revelation comes at a time when Nigeria’s major opposition parties—the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party—are facing internal divisions and leadership tussles following the 2023 general elections. Atiku Abubakar, who ran under the PDP banner, and Peter Obi, the third-force candidate from the Labour Party, are seen as key opposition figures who commanded millions of votes during the last presidential polls.
Analysts suggest that a merger or alignment of such political heavyweights under the SDP umbrella could significantly alter the dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections, especially if the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to battle growing discontent over economic challenges and governance issues.
While neither Atiku nor Obi has personally commented on the claim, insiders suggest that recent high-level meetings, coupled with coordinated media silence, hint at serious strategic recalibrations. The SDP, historically associated with the late Chief MKO Abiola and Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement of the 1990s, is said to be undergoing rebranding efforts aimed at presenting itself as a viable alternative to the mainstream political parties.
As the political terrain continues to shift, all eyes remain on the next moves of Atiku and Obi—two men whose influence and decisions could set the tone for Nigeria’s opposition politics in the years to come.