Adewole Adebayo, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its 2023 presidential candidate, has provided insights into the defection of former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP.
Adebayo, in an interview, suggested that the SDP is poised to become a major political force ahead of the 2027 elections, as more leaders from the APC and other parties are joining—some publicly, others in secret.
Addressing speculations that El-Rufai is the biggest figure in the SDP, Adebayo dismissed such rankings, stating, “El-Rufai is not a fish at all. He is a fellow fisherman. So, he has just joined us on our fishing expedition.”
He emphasized that many political figures have already joined the SDP and that more will follow in due time.
“So, many will join. The summary of it is that we are looking for fishermen because Nigeria’s ship has sunk, and we need to go into the depths of the ocean to rescue the country,” Adebayo explained. He added that the SDP offers a viable platform for those disillusioned with the state of governance in Nigeria.
Adebayo rejected claims that the party lured defectors with incentives, instead attributing their decision to patriotism.
“It’s because it’s inherent in every Nigerian. And I can perceive it even from your voice that every Nigerian has that inherent patriotism in them,” he said.
He praised El-Rufai’s intellect and courage, saying, “El-Rufai is 65 years of age with his massive talent. He has the brain of 50 people combined. He has the courage of 1,000 people and he is ready to work.”
Adebayo stressed that more politicians would leave the ruling APC as dissatisfaction with the government grows.
“People will not be frustrated. People will not say, ‘what can we do now?’ Because Tinubu must know that after two years in office, there will be millions of people who don’t like him and his policies.”
He maintained that the SDP was not a sectional or fractional party but a national platform capable of winning elections across different levels in 2027.
Responding to speculation that El-Rufai might run for president, Adebayo said, “What I know regarding El-Rufai’s presidency is that he is qualified by age and by other requirements to aspire. He has not said he wants to aspire.”
He made it clear that if El-Rufai decided to contest, he would have to go through the party’s fair and competitive process.
“If he aspires, it has been written down by God, and it means that I will have to defeat him before I become president.”
Adebayo also dismissed rumors of a potential joint ticket between El-Rufai and Peter Obi.
“I don’t know all these names you are mentioning; they have not come to our party. Only El-Rufai is our member, and he is our member on merit.”
He highlighted that the SDP would not be used as a mere vehicle for personal ambition, saying, “The SDP is not available to be used for the ambition of people who are desperate and indiscriminate.”
Adebayo described the SDP as more than just an opposition party.
“SDP is the true face of the incoming government. That’s how we see ourselves,” he asserted.
He noted that people were beginning to appreciate the party’s consistency and foresight.
Some of those who previously opposed the SDP, he said, were now acknowledging its credibility.
“Some people opposed us before. And they said, ‘well, I only opposed you because you didn’t have any government experience. Now that we have tested those who have government experience and you are far better than them, what you predicted has come to pass.’”
Rejecting the idea of zoning the presidency, Adebayo stated, “The Presidency is neither in the North nor in the South. The Presidency is in the hands of the wrong people right now.”
He argued that the focus should be on electing a government that serves the people rather than dwelling on regional politics.
“So there is nothing called Southern Presidency or Northern Presidency. What we have is a government that serves the people or does not serve the people.”
According to him, the SDP’s mission is to restore governance that benefits all Nigerians.
“Are there not any honest people left in this country? If the answer is that there are, then where are they and why are they not marching to the SDP?”
Assessing President Bola Tinubu’s government, Adebayo was critical.
“It has been working off the syllabus. So, most of what they have done is off-syllabus because the syllabus for governance in Nigeria is the constitution.”
He pointed out that even the administration’s own budget performance was weak.
“Their budget last year underperformed, and even the President acknowledged that the budget performed below 30 percent.”
He also criticized Tinubu’s handling of national issues, from insecurity to economic policies.
“People are being carried up and down like cattle and the families have to redeem them back like goats,” he lamented.
On youth employment, he argued that the government’s approach was ineffective.
“He is not directing the youth to go and work. He is not recruiting them into commerce, agriculture, or railways. Nothing, he is wasting their time.”
Adebayo concluded by saying that the APC government was nearing its end and that the SDP was preparing to take over.
“They are on their way out. What we are trying to do is usher them in an orderly fashion.”
