The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, has expressed his willingness to step down from his 2027 presidential ambition if a more competent candidate emerges to lead the party.
Speaking during an episode of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television on Sunday, Adebayo emphasised that his primary focus is Nigeria’s progress, rather than personal ambition.
“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,” he said.
Adebayo assured that the SDP would field a credible candidate capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election. He underscored that the party would avoid divisive politics based on religion or ethnicity.
“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,’” he stated.
Regarding party expansion, Adebayo acknowledged the influx of new members but made it clear that they must align with the SDP’s core values. He stressed that the party would not permit negative traits from other political platforms to influence its principles.
“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 remarked, drawing a parallel to sanitisation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adebayo also mentioned politicians who had switched parties due to internal conflicts, citing examples such as former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He emphasised the SDP’s commitment to fairness and internal discipline.
“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,” Adebayo added.
In his remarks, Adebayo reiterated the SDP’s mission to position itself as a platform of integrity and responsibility, reflecting the aspirations of the Nigerian populace rather than the ambitions of political figures.
