2027: SDP Inaugurates 12,000-Member Campaign Council, Names Tanko Coordinator

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has inaugurated a 12,000-member Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election, with Dr Yunusa Tanko appointed as its National Coordinator.

The inauguration took place on Wednesday in Abuja, where the party’s National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Gombe, formally inaugurated the council. Gombe will also serve as the chairman of the campaign council.

The SDP chairman charged members to work towards securing victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election, saying they must be committed to challenging President Bola Tinubu at the polls.

He urged the campaign team to focus on issues affecting Nigerians and present policies that could address the country’s challenges. He also reminded members that their activities must comply with the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the SDP constitution.

Gombe said the party must win the support of Nigerians through proper organisation, public engagement and convincing policy proposals rather than violence or electoral misconduct.

He warned members against intimidation, violence, electoral malpractice and other activities that could threaten the credibility of the country’s democratic process.

Speaking on the state of the nation, the SDP chairman said Nigeria was facing several challenges, including insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, poverty, weak public institutions and declining confidence in government.

According to him, the difficulties facing the country have increased the need for leadership that can provide security, economic opportunities, social justice and accountability.

He added that Nigerians deserved a government that would place their welfare, dignity and interests at the centre of its policies.

Gombe said the SDP was prepared to offer Nigerians another political option built on social justice, fairness, freedom, inclusive development and good governance.

He further urged members of the newly inaugurated campaign council to take the party’s message to different communities across the country and engage voters respectfully.

The chairman also asked them to listen to the concerns of Nigerians and convince them through their actions and proposals that the SDP could be trusted with leadership.

He maintained that the party’s campaign must remain peaceful and focused on providing practical solutions to the country’s problems as it prepares to challenge Tinubu and other contenders in the 2027 presidential election.

With Tanko’s appointment as National Coordinator, the 12,000-member council is expected to drive the SDP’s presidential campaign and coordinate its activities ahead of the election.