…Takes Charge of Adebayo’s Presidential Campaign
The former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has dumped Peter Obi for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as the National Coordinator of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tanko, who was a prominent figure in the mobilisation of support for Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election, was unveiled on Wednesday during the inauguration of the SDP Presidential Campaign Council at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
His appointment places him in charge of coordinating the presidential campaign of the SDP candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, as the party prepares for the 2027 election.
The development comes barely two weeks after Tanko resigned as Obi’s Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria, a position he assumed following his removal as National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement in October.
Speaking at the unveiling, Tanko disclosed that he had formally resigned from his advisory position on October 30, 2026, before accepting the SDP appointment.
He also revealed that he had reached out to Obi and the National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, following his decision.
Tanko described his new assignment as a return to a political platform with which he had previously been associated, pledging to work with the SDP presidential candidate and the leadership of the National Consultative Front towards the party’s electoral objectives.
He expressed confidence in the SDP’s political philosophy, describing it as a left-wing, people-oriented party committed to representing the interests of disadvantaged Nigerians.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of the SDP’s National Campaign Council, which was attended by members of the party’s National Working Committee, party leaders, stakeholders and supporters.
The party’s National Chairman, Professor Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, who will chair the National Campaign Council, charged members to pursue an issue-based, peaceful and people-centred campaign.
Gombe said the party was determined to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, urging members to work towards electoral victory through lawful and democratic means.
He identified insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, poverty and institutional weaknesses as major challenges requiring urgent attention, adding that the SDP intended to offer Nigerians an alternative based on social justice, equity, freedom and inclusive development.
In his remarks, Adebayo endorsed the composition and leadership of the campaign council, describing the party’s organisational growth as evidence of its capacity to build institutions capable of contributing to national development.
He also raised concerns over reports of the removal of opposition campaign materials in Adamawa State, calling for political tolerance and a level playing field for all parties ahead of the elections.
The SDP said the newly inaugurated council would coordinate campaign activities across national, zonal, state, local government, ward and polling-unit structures.
The party urged its members, particularly women and young people, to take active roles in the campaign and mobilise support for its candidates across the country.
By Janet Eke | Correspondent
