By Lateef Ibrahim
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has declared that its political focus ahead of the 2027 general elections is not on former President Goodluck Jonathan, but on unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The party’s presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, made the position known during an interview on Trust TV , monitored in Abuja on Wednesday, amid growing speculation that Jonathan may re-enter the presidential race.
Adebayo said the SDP would welcome Jonathan’s participation, noting that his past experience in office could enrich national debate, but insisted that the party’s primary objective remains defeating Tinubu.
“Defeating Goodluck Jonathan is not our problem. Our plan is to defeat Tinubu,” he said.
He added that Jonathan, having served as president and now an international statesman, would be in a position to defend his record, reflect on past governance challenges, and possibly offer lessons from his time in office.
According to him, such a contest would deepen democratic conversation in Nigeria, as returning candidates would be expected to explain both their past performance and current policy direction.
Adebayo maintained that the SDP is positioning itself as a major contender in the 2027 race, with its strategic focus firmly on the incumbent administration rather than opposition figures from previous political eras.
