The coalition cites the SDP candidate’s 117-page manifesto and four-year implementation plan as key reasons for its endorsement.
The CountryFirst Movement and allied pro-democracy organisations have endorsed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
The coalition announced its decision on Thursday, October 29, 2026, during a world press conference, explaining that the endorsement followed an assessment of presidential candidates’ manifestos, policy proposals and implementation plans.
Convener of the coalition, Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr., said the groups were committed to promoting issue-based politics and leadership driven by practical policies, measurable targets and clear timelines.
Nwaokobia said the coalition began challenging presidential candidates to present comprehensive manifestos on August 26, 2026.
According to him, of the 18 presidential candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), only one submitted a comprehensive manifesto, while 10 others provided summaries without sufficient implementation details.
He said Nigeria needed political parties with clear ideological positions and practical development plans rather than platforms focused primarily on winning elections.
Explaining the endorsement, the coalition described Adebayo, a lawyer, businessman and media entrepreneur, as a progressive politician with a clear vision for addressing the country’s challenges.
The groups also highlighted the SDP’s political heritage, linking Adebayo’s campaign message, “Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity,” to the poverty-focused message associated with the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola’s 1993 presidential campaign.
According to the coalition, Adebayo’s manifesto comprises 117 pages in print and 138 pages electronically, covering 12 priority areas, including national security, food security, electricity, job creation, education, healthcare, infrastructure, innovation and accountability.
The document also outlines a proposed four-year implementation framework designed to guide the delivery of the candidate’s policy priorities.
Under the plan, the first 100 days would focus on establishing a Presidential Delivery and Performance Office, auditing key sectors, identifying priority projects, improving procurement transparency and introducing a presidential performance dashboard.
The first year would prioritise security, agricultural production, energy supply, infrastructure and youth employment. The second and third years would focus on expanding industrial development, electricity distribution, food processing, manufacturing, transportation, housing and water projects.
The fourth year would be dedicated to completing priority projects, sustaining successful programmes and publishing audited performance reports to evaluate the administration’s performance.
The coalition also commended the manifesto’s emphasis on constitutional governance, social democracy, cooperative federalism, private-sector partnerships and citizen participation.
It urged political parties to publish detailed manifestos before inaugurating their presidential campaign councils, arguing that election campaigns should be driven by clear policy commitments and measurable development targets.
The endorsement was jointly signed by Nwaokobia; Dabiraoluwa H. Adeyinka, coordinator of the Power in the Streets Movement; Alhaji Musa Isah of the Forum of North West Progressives; Obinna Okeke of the CountryFirst Movement; Fred Uke of the United Middlebelt Forum; Bernice Adeyemi of the South South Peoples Forum; and Ayegba Iyaji of the National Rescue Movement, North Central.
The coalition called on Nigerians, civil society organisations and other pro-democracy groups to support Adebayo, the SDP and the Movement Adebayo for President (MAP).
It expressed optimism that Adebayo’s election in 2027 would advance prosperity, security, accountability and inclusive national development.
The groups maintained that their endorsement was based on a policy assessment of the available candidates, urging voters to examine manifestos, ideological clarity and measurable commitments before deciding who should lead the country.
The coalition’s endorsement represents its stated position ahead of the 2027 presidential election, while voters will ultimately determine their preferred candidate at the polls.
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