The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has expressed his readiness to step aside from his 2027 presidential ambition if a more capable candidate emerges to lead the party.
Adebayo made this revelation during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television on Sunday. He emphasized that his primary focus is on the progress of Nigeria 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,” Adebayo stated.
The SDP chieftain assured that the party would present a credible candidate capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next election. He affirmed that the SDP would steer clear of divisive politics based on religion or ethnicity, instead prioritizing unity and development.
“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 remarked.
Addressing the expansion of the party, Adebayo acknowledged the influx of new members while stressing the need for alignment with SDP’s core values. He warned that negative traits from other political platforms would not be tolerated within the party.
“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,” Adebayo said, drawing an analogy to COVID-era sanitisation measures.
He also referenced prominent politicians who switched parties due to internal disputes, including former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, while underscoring 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,” he added.
Adebayo’s stance reflects his dedication to nation-building, as he prioritizes Nigeria’s progress over personal ambition while advocating for credible leadership and internal discipline within the SDP.
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