The Social Democratic Party (SDP) says prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, are currently in discussions to potentially join its ranks.
This was disclosed by SDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
According to Adebayo, representatives of both Atiku and Obi have initiated talks with the party, which has recently welcomed high-profile defectors, including a former governor of Kaduna State and senior APC chieftain.
“People are joining our party, and we’re open to receiving them. You can see how actively I’ve been welcoming them,” Adebayo said. “We do have a few challenges, particularly with individuals unfamiliar with a political culture where rules and structures are taken seriously.”
He added, “Some are coming in with Boy Scout-style or backdoor tactics, but we’re managing that. El-Rufai, Atiku Abubakar, even Peter Obi—yes, all of them are in conversations. A lot more are coming, and the door is open.”
Pressed to confirm whether Obi is indeed joining the SDP, Adebayo clarified: “Until someone officially joins, nothing is certain. But I’ve been informed, even by our Financial Secretary, that discussions are ongoing. We are prepared to welcome everyone.”
He emphasized that anyone joining the SDP must align with the party’s values of transparency and internal democracy.
“If we come together and avoid becoming a tower of Babel, if we follow due process and allow credible leadership to emerge—as we did during our 2022 convention, which was praised for being transparent and free of controversy—we can offer Nigerians a true alternative,” he said. “And when that happens, we will decisively defeat the APC and retire President Tinubu to Lagos or wherever he prefers.”
Peter Obi, who galvanized significant youth support during the 2023 elections, finished third with approximately six million votes. Atiku Abubakar placed second, while the APC’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the presidency.
Despite the swirling speculation, Obi has consistently reaffirmed his loyalty to the Labour Party, which served as the platform for his 2023 presidential run.