Adebayo declares readiness to challenge Tinubu in 2027
The internal crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party (SDP) intensified yesterday as the party’s National Chairman, Sadiq Abubakar Gombe, defended the expulsion of former party leader, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, while the party’s presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, declared his readiness to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Gombe spoke with journalists after a meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, where the electoral body engaged SDP leaders over the lingering dispute within the party.

He said the meeting, convened by INEC as part of an alternative dispute resolution process, did not alter the party’s position on Gabam’s removal.

According to him, the SDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) ratified Gabam’s expulsion during its March 9, 2026 meeting held at Newton Park Hotel and Resort over allegations of corruption, financial misconduct, mismanagement and breaches of the party constitution.

Gombe maintained that the resolutions were duly communicated to INEC and monitored by the commission.

He explained that Gabam and other affected officials were allowed to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee to defend themselves, but the party proceeded based on findings of misconduct.

The SDP chairman further argued that the party constitution requires aggrieved members to exhaust internal dispute resolution procedures within five working days before seeking external intervention.

He also insisted that political parties retain constitutional powers to manage their internal affairs, including discipline and leadership matters, stressing that INEC’s role remains regulatory.

“The meeting was constructive and frank,” Gombe said, adding that despite differing opinions expressed during discussions with INEC, the party’s position on Gabam’s expulsion remained unchanged.

He reaffirmed that the SDP remained stable ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the internal disciplinary process as necessary to preserve accountability, discipline and public trust.

Gombe also cautioned INEC against interfering in party affairs, insisting that the commission was not empowered to appoint leaders for political parties.

The SDP chairman added that the party had already concluded its national convention and presidential primaries, which he described as transparent and widely monitored.

Amid the internal tensions, the SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, declared that he was not intimidated by the prospect of facing Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election despite both politicians coming from the South-West region.

Adebayo said the SDP would not engage in ethnic politics, insisting that millions of Nigerians battling hunger, unemployment and rising living costs were more concerned about survival than regional identity.

“We don’t think like that in SDP. A hungry person in the South-West is still hungry. Someone buying petrol at outrageous prices won’t care about regional identity,” he said.

Adebayo said economic hardship remained the priority concern for ordinary Nigerians.

He stated that the party would focus on policies aimed at improving education, healthcare, employment and social welfare.

According to him, the SDP represents a different ideological direction from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he accused of prioritising politics over governance.

“SDP is the party that has solutions to your social problems. It’s a party meant for ordinary people. When you wake up in the morning, you think about feeding your family, transport costs, education, food, healthcare, jobs and survival — those are the issues social democratic parties focus on,” he said.

Adebayo further criticised the APC’s handling of economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, arguing that government policies should prioritise the welfare of citizens.

“A social democrat won’t wake up and remove subsidy without thinking about the impact on transport, food, housing, jobs and people’s savings. But if you are APC, your focus is on winning elections and congratulating yourselves afterwards,” he stated.