I Won’t Step Down for Atiku in 2027, Says Ex-SDP Presidential Candidate, Adebayo

Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has made it clear that he will not step down for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any other candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a press event in Abuja, Adebayo emphasized that while he supports broad-based coalitions aimed at national development, the SDP will not be used as a vehicle for personal political battles or vendettas.

His comments come amid growing speculation about a potential alliance among opposition leaders, including Atiku, Peter Obi, and other prominent politicians, to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s expected re-election bid.

“I will not be stepping down for Atiku or anyone else simply because they are coming from a bigger political name. If there is a more competent candidate than I am within the SDP, I will support them. But the SDP is not available for hire as a platform for disillusioned politicians who want to settle scores,” Adebayo stated.

He particularly warned Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai against attempting to hijack the SDP for their own political ambitions, saying the party must remain a platform rooted in ideology and credible leadership.

“If the coalition is for the Nigerian people, the SDP is available. But if it is just a crime center for disappointed Tinubu followers, they should go back to him and resolve their differences there. Don’t come to SDP to borrow us for a fight we are not involved in,” he said.

Adebayo, who ran in the 2023 presidential election under the SDP banner, reiterated his commitment to contest again in 2027 unless a better candidate emerges from within the party.

He stressed that any such decision must come through due internal processes and not from external political pressure.

With the 2027 elections on the horizon, Adebayo’s comments highlight a growing divide in the opposition camp, as various political figures jockey for influence and control. His firm stance signals that the SDP is positioning itself not just as a fallback option for political defectors, but as a serious contender in its own right.