With Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election about two years away, political realignments and strategic maneuvering have begun in earnest. Various political actors are exploring options among the 19 registered political parties as they seek viable platforms to contest for the highest office in the land.
One party that has recently gained traction is the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which has already attracted multiple presidential aspirants. According to the party’s National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, at least seven individuals have indicated interest in contesting on the SDP platform. Speaking on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program on Channels Television, Agunloye noted that the number of aspirants could rise to eight or even ten in the coming months. However, he refrained from disclosing the identities of these aspirants.
He emphasized that the SDP is determined not to lose any of these aspirants to rival political parties, highlighting the growing importance of the party in the evolving political landscape.
Peter Obi’s Associates in Talks with SDP
One of the key developments surrounding the SDP is the potential entry of Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP). While Obi himself has not formally declared an interest in joining the SDP, some of his political associates have reportedly approached the party to explore the possibility of his defection.
Agunloye revealed that these associates inquired whether the SDP would accept Obi if he decided to switch parties, to which they responded affirmatively. He, however, stressed that Obi’s camp must officially join the SDP before any further discussions can take place.
> “Obi’s people came to us to say, ‘If Obi comes, would you take him?’ Of course, we told them: ‘Yes.’ I was in that meeting,” Agunloye stated.
“Some of them are already with us, saying they are preparing the ground, but you have to join SDP. 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.”
Agunloye made it clear that while there is a possibility of Obi joining, nothing has been confirmed yet, as the former Anambra governor may or may not be considering a move to the party.
Growing Coalition Against Tinubu
As the 2027 elections draw closer, opposition forces have begun forming strategic alliances in a bid to unseat the incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Many opposition figures have accused Tinubu’s administration of economic mismanagement, citing record-high inflation and a worsening cost of living crisis.
On March 20, 2025, a major political coalition was officially announced, featuring notable figures such as:
Atiku Abubakar (former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate)
Peter Obi (2023 LP presidential candidate)
Nasir El-Rufai (former Kaduna State governor)
The coalition aims to leverage the numerical strength of Atiku and Obi’s 2023 votes, which, when combined, exceeded 12 million—more than four million votes ahead of Tinubu’s officially declared tally.
Atiku, a central figure in the coalition, took to social media to emphasize the opposition’s unity. After a joint press conference at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, he disclosed that discussions had been held with a former political leader regarding the state of emergency declared in Rivers State.
Is SDP Becoming the Preferred Alternative?
With ongoing leadership crises in both the PDP and LP, as well as dissatisfaction among some APC members, the SDP has begun attracting influential figures from across the political spectrum.
Agunloye confirmed that the party’s doors are open to new entrants but clarified that the existing party structure would not be sidelined for incoming politicians. Instead, the SDP aims to integrate both old and new members in a way that maximizes collective strength.
> “We will not allow people to come and sweep out those who have built the party. We must synergize and maximize opportunities because these are people with a lot of experience,” he said.
“Whatever anybody wants to say about El-Rufai, you cannot take his experience, expertise, and energy away. And he has money because anyone who wins elections must have financial backing—either from personal wealth or fundraising. So, his joining is a plus, but we must find a way to work together.”
Agunloye emphasized that the SDP has a nationwide presence across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas and that those interested in joining must align with the party’s structures.
Who Will Get the SDP’s Presidential Ticket?
With heavyweight politicians like Atiku, Obi, and El-Rufai considering or rumored to be aligning with the SDP, the question of who will secure the party’s presidential ticket in 2027 is already generating intense debate.
Agunloye disclosed that while rumors persist about Atiku possibly joining the SDP, the former vice president has not made any official move yet.
> “I’ve been hearing that Atiku is coming. Atiku and I have been friends since his vice-presidency. He still spoke to me about a week ago, but he did not say: ‘I am coming,’” he explained.
He, however, confirmed that former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai has already joined the SDP, bringing along some of his former commissioners and political associates. Similarly, Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former security chief, has officially registered with the party.
> “I know that Hamza Al-Mustapha has joined because he came to the office to collect his membership card. El-Rufai has also joined, along with some of his former commissioners and associates,” Agunloye added.
The growing list of prominent figures associating with the SDP is expected to attract even more politicians, with some already indicating interest due to El-Rufai’s involvement.
Will SDP Zone Its Presidential Ticket?
On the contentious issue of zoning the presidential ticket, Agunloye stated that the SDP leadership has not yet made a decision. He emphasized that the party must first strengthen its internal structures before addressing the zoning question.
> “Just imagine if Peter Obi, Atiku, El-Rufai, and Attahiru Bafarawa all come to the same platform. You have to find a balance,” he noted.
He stressed that the party’s leadership would handle the situation with transparency and fairness to ensure that all members feel included in the decision-making process.
> “We need to strengthen all the structures in SDP. We need to preserve the integrity of the party. We need a situation where everyone has their responsibility. We will not merge, but we must be honest. It is only through honesty that Peter Obi, Adewole Adebayo, Atiku, and others can sit down together to work for the party.”
Conclusion
As Nigeria’s political landscape continues to shift ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the SDP has emerged as a key player attracting top opposition figures. While the party has opened its doors to new entrants, it faces the challenge of managing competing interests while maintaining its internal stability.
With opposition leaders forming strategic alliances and searching for a strong platform, the coming months will reveal whether the SDP can truly position itself as the leading alternative to the APC in the next election.
