SDP emerges as key player in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election amid political realignments

With Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election just two years away, the country’s political landscape is undergoing rapid transformations. Politicians and power brokers are forging new alliances, exploring alternative platforms, and strategizing ahead of what is expected to be another fiercely contested battle for Aso Rock.

At the forefront of these realignments is the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which has unexpectedly risen as a formidable force in the unfolding political drama.

According to the party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, no fewer than seven presidential hopefuls have already signaled interest in running under the SDP’s banner.

“We have eight presidential aspirants; it could be 10. Seven of them are on our platform,” Agunloye disclosed during an interview on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a political program aired on Channels Television on Friday night.

Though he declined to name the aspirants, his statement highlights the SDP’s growing appeal as a viable alternative for politicians disenchanted with Nigeria’s dominant parties.

Peter Obi’s Potential Move to SDP

One of the most significant developments is the potential defection of Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

According to Agunloye, Obi’s associates have engaged the SDP leadership to explore the possibility of his candidacy under the party’s platform.

“Obi’s people came to us to say, ‘If Obi comes, would you take him?’ Of course, we told them: ‘Yes’,” Agunloye revealed.

However, he emphasized that Obi must officially join the SDP if he intends to contest on its ticket.

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“You cannot be in the Labour Party and be telling us Obi is coming without joining us. Otherwise, we can’t open our doors for you,” he stated.

Opposition Coalition Gains Momentum

READ ALSO: Why I dumped APC for SDP—El-Rufai

The political maneuvering intensified on March 20, 2025, when opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, announced a coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

The coalition hopes to leverage the combined strength of Atiku and Obi, who collectively secured over 12 million votes in the 2023 election—four million more than Tinubu’s official tally.

With Nigeria facing record-high inflation and an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis, the opposition sees an opportunity to unseat the APC government, which it accuses of economic mismanagement.

SDP as a Haven for Political Heavyweights

As internal crises plague both the PDP and LP, and discontent simmers within the APC, the SDP has emerged as a refuge for politicians seeking a fresh platform.

Agunloye confirmed that El-Rufai and several of his associates have already defected to the SDP, alongside former presidential candidate Hamza Al-Mustapha.

“El-Rufai has come, and a couple of his former commissioners and associates. Several others called, saying they don’t know El-Rufai personally, but because he joined, they want to come,” Agunloye stated.

Despite the influx of political heavyweights, Agunloye assured that the SDP would not allow newcomers to overshadow long-standing party members.

“We will not allow people to come and sweep the landlords out. We must find a way to synergize and maximize opportunities because these are people with a lot of experience,” he explained.

READ ALSO: El-Rufai dumps APC, joins SDP over ‘irreconcilable differences’ with party leadership

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The Battle for SDP’s Presidential Ticket

The question of who will emerge as the SDP’s presidential candidate remains a critical issue. Agunloye acknowledged that managing the ambitions of figures like Obi, Atiku, El-Rufai, and former Sokoto Governor Attahiru Bafarawa would require careful negotiation.

“Just imagine Peter Obi, Atiku, El-Rufai, and Bafarawa on the same platform. You have to find a balance,” he noted.

Regarding the zoning of the 2027 presidential ticket between the North and South, Agunloye stated that the party’s leadership would deliberate on the matter at the appropriate time.

“We need to strengthen all the structures in SDP. We need to preserve the integrity of the party. We must be honest in our dealings if we want to bring together candidates like Obi, Atiku, and Adewole Adebayo on the same table,” he said.

SDP’s Rising Influence Ahead of 2027

As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 elections, the SDP’s role in shaping the political landscape could become more significant than ever before. Whether it will emerge as a true alternative to the traditional powerhouses or merely serve as a stepping stone for defecting politicians remains to be seen.

What is certain, however, is that the SDP has firmly positioned itself as a key player in Nigeria’s evolving political equation.