The Social Democratic Party picked Adewole Adebayo as its presidential flag-bearer for 2027 on Saturday. He'll run unopposed after unanimous backing from delegates at the party's national convention in Bauchi State.
Adebayo, a lawyer and businessman, was the SDP's 2023 presidential candidate. He secured the nomination after party leaders from all 36 states and the FCT supported his candidacy.
Lagos State's party chairman moved the motion for his adoption first. Delegates gave overwhelming approval to the decision.
His selection now sets him up as the SDP's main challenger for the presidency in the coming election. Political observers expect the 2027 race to be intensely competitive.
At the convention, Usman Bugaje attacked what he called a hostile political environment facing opposition parties. The convention planning committee chairman said state institutions were fueling attacks on the opposition.
Bugaje blamed INEC and Nigeria's courts for being weaponized against opposition movements. He accused "unscrupulous politicians" of using these institutions to weaken rivals and kill competition.
"The attempt by the ruling party to block the political space and eliminate competition and opposition is the most despicable of all offenses today," Bugaje said. Officials in the ruling party, INEC, and the judiciary, he added, showed a lack of both character and historical knowledge.
Despite these challenges, Bugaje noted the SDP had survived and expanded. He credited party members' commitment and loyalty nationwide for this resilience.
Bugaje urged delegates to maintain their support for the party's values. He praised their steadfastness and promised continued advocacy for democratic ideals.
Drawing a parallel to Nigeria's military past, Bugaje invoked General Sani Abacha's regime. He warned that suppressing dissent and abusing institutions had always ultimately failed in history.
"Only a quarter century ago, late General Abacha, with all his military might, detained who he could, killed who he could, yet could not get what he wanted," Bugaje noted. History shows such tactics produce only disgrace for those involved, he continued.
Bugaje cautioned that Nigerians were watching the political landscape closely. He predicted history would judge those undermining democratic institutions harshly.
"Nigerians are watching and praying, and history is recording your despicable behaviour and there are consequences either here or there or both," he stated. "For us, there is no going back.
We believe that doing right at the right time is the right thing to do."
The convention reflects broader shifts within Nigeria's opposition ahead of 2027. Multiple opposition parties have begun consultations to build stronger alliances against the ruling party.
Political realignments are gaining momentum across the country currently. Observers say opposition movements are moving quickly to consolidate their forces.
