South West SDP Rejects Opposition Coalition Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the South West has declared its decision to stay away from the opposition coalition forming ahead of the 2027 general elections, choosing instead to focus on its own strategy to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels of government.

This position was made public during the party’s South-West stakeholders’ meeting held in Ibadan on Saturday. The meeting, which drew key leaders from the six states in the region, was led by Hon Femi Olaniyi, popularly known as Ferrari, who serves as the Lagos State SDP Chairman and Chairman of all state chairmen across the country.

Recently, several major opposition figures in Nigeria, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Senate President David Mark, and others like Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, had announced the formation of a united front. This coalition adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 polls.

However, the South West SDP says it was never involved in that arrangement. According to Hon Olaniyi, the decision to either join or reject such an alliance lies solely with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), and no such directive has been issued.

He explained that stakeholders in Ondo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, and Oyo states had raised concerns about the growing coalition and sought clarification. The meeting in Ibadan was called to set the record straight and assure members that no part of the SDP in the region had entered into any alliance.

Olaniyi noted that while the national body of the party continues to work on strengthening internal structures, state chapters will soon receive support in the form of membership materials, including cards and registers, to boost grassroots mobilization.

Despite challenges in some states, the SDP maintains that there is unity within its South West chapter. Leaders continue to work closely to prepare the party for a strong showing in 2027. Olaniyi said their goal is to present Nigerians with a better alternative to the current administration and deliver a government that reflects true democracy.

Also speaking at the meeting, Hon Babatunde Omotayo, a lawmaker representing Ise-Orun Constituency in the Ekiti State House of Assembly under the SDP, echoed the chairman’s stance. He said discussions were centered on strengthening the party’s unity and building a common voice to move forward. He added that the SDP has no intention of joining the new opposition coalition.

The meeting was attended by all six state chairmen in the region and other critical stakeholders, reinforcing the party’s resolve to stand independently in the upcoming electoral cycle.