KEY POINTS

• SDP’s Adebayo confirms talks with Atiku, Obi, and other prominent politicians about potential defections ahead of 2027 elections.
• Obi maintains Labour Party allegiance despite reports, while Atiku’s plans remain unclear as opposition seeks unity against APC.
• SDP positions itself as reform-focused alternative after successfully integrating APC’s El-Rufai and conducting dispute-free primaries.

Nigeria’s political landscape may be undergoing a significant shift as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi are reportedly in advanced talks to join the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

This revelation comes from Adewole Adebayo, the SDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, who confirmed ongoing discussions to Channelstv.

“People are joining my party, and we are welcoming them,” Adebayo stated. “All these people you have mentioned – El-Rufai, Atiku Abubakar, and even former Governor Peter Obi – are coming. A lot of people are coming, and we will welcome them.” The SDP recently gained attention after welcoming former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, into its fold.

Obi’s loyalty to Labour Party questioned

While Adebayo expressed confidence about the potential defections, Peter Obi has consistently maintained his commitment to the Labour Party. The former Anambra governor, who secured six million votes in the 2023 presidential election, recently reiterated his position during a public engagement in Lagos.

“I remain a proud member of the Labour Party,” Obi declared last week. “Our focus remains on building a better Nigeria through credible opposition.”

Political analysts suggest these developments signal a possible grand opposition coalition against the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

The SDP, which ran a transparent primary in 2022 without post-convention disputes, appears positioned as a potential umbrella for disaffected politicians. “If they can stick to our culture and follow the way we do things in SDP,” Adebayo added, “we will manifestly defeat the APC.”

Atiku Abubakar, who finished second in the 2023 polls, has kept his plans private amid rumors of a sixth presidential bid. His spokesperson declined to comment on the SDP rumors when contacted by Channels Television. Meanwhile, the Labour Party faces internal challenges, with recent leadership disputes potentially influencing Obi’s political calculations