The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, says he is willing to step down his 2027 presidential ambition if a better candidate emerges to fly the party’s flag.
Adebayo, a lawyer, made this known on Sunday during Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
He said, “Everybody knows that I have an aspiration. I’m working on it, but God is the author of tomorrow; we don’t even know who is going to be around in 2027.
“It is my prayer to God that if there is a person who God thinks is better than me to fix the problem of Nigeria, my ambition should not stop that person because we want a country that works. That is the kind of thing we are working on at this time.”
The politician assured that the SDP would present a credible candidate capable of unseating President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress in the next election.
According to him, the party will not exploit religious and ethnic sentiments, as often seen in Nigerian politics.
He stated, “What used to be an easy discussion—religion and ethnicity—has become explosive now. So, we will not use the SDP forum to divide Nigerians along these lines.
“Our goal is to ensure that when we make a choice in the SDP, Nigerians, even outside the party, will feel a sense of relief and say, ‘Finally, this platform has given the country a real chance.’”
Adebayo also said while the SDP welcomes new members, the party would ensure that they do not import negative traits from their former political platforms.
“If you want to come to the SDP, you have to allow us to apply disinfectant—not because we don’t respect you, but because you are coming from a highly infected zone,” he said.
“The same way we did during COVID—when you visit a friend’s house, and they disinfect you out of love so you don’t infect others—we’ll do it with order. Our party’s constitution and guidelines are well-sanitised.
“The processes must be untainted by criminality, bribery, excessive use of money, and ethnic or religious bias.”
He cited politicians who left their former parties due to perceived injustice, including ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, who claimed he was unfairly treated in the APC, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who accused his party of betrayal.
He said, “Many who are joining us speak of injustice where they are coming from. When Peter Obi left the PDP, he cited criminality and injustice. El-Rufai has not been shy about how the APC embarrassed him and denied him a position. Atiku has his grievances over how some people in his party refused to support him.
“We sympathise with everyone who is coming, but our job is to ensure that this party is not about politicians—it is about the Nigerian people. Registration is done at the ward level, and every member must read and abide by the party’s constitution.”