A former Majority Leader in the House of Representatives and leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the South-West, Mulikat Akande-Adeola, has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to fielding only tested and trusted candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at an Iftar organized by the SDP Oyo State Chapter for stakeholders across Ibadanland’s 11 local governments, Akande-Adeola emphasized the need for leadership that genuinely understands and addresses the plight of Nigerians.
The event took place on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Teachers premises in Samonda, Ibadan.
Expressing concern over the level of hardship in the country, the former lawmaker urged party members to ensure they are properly registered at the ward, local government, and state levels to strengthen the party’s structure ahead of the elections.
“SDP would ensure that only tested, trusted, and credible candidates are allowed to fly the party’s flag. This suffering is too much. People are suffering, and we must all work together to present people with impeccable characters. People who know where the shoes are pitching their constituents,” she stated.
She further outlined the party’s vision for the presidency, stressing that the SDP would only support a candidate who prioritizes the people’s interests.
“Our plan, the SDP plan, is to support a Presidential candidate who will listen to the cry of the people. Those who are coming to SDP with ulterior motives will not succeed.
“You don’t just sit down and say you want to win an election and then go and bring out anybody. We must have the right candidates. Somebody tested and trusted, who has integrity that when people hear his or her name, they can rely on him or her. Someone who is dependable and reliable who will work for the people and not for himself or herself. Those are the qualities we are looking for,” she insisted.
Akande-Adeola urged party members to remain steadfast in their loyalty, stressing that her involvement in politics is no longer for personal ambition but for the greater good.
“It’s not about me. I have said several times that I am not contesting for any office anymore; it’s about the common good of the people of this state.
“I ran for Senate, and we worked for the present Governor of the State, Seyi Makinde. While we were working for him, he was working against me, it was something I have never seen before, it was a total betrayal,” she lamented.
On the defection of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the SDP, Akande-Adeola maintained that the party remains open to new members as long as they adhere to its principles.
“Politics is a game of numbers, and anybody who wants to come into the SDP is welcomed as long as they are ready to play by the rules of the party and not with the mind of taking the party from those who were there before,” she stated.
Earlier, SDP Oyo State Chairman Michael Okunlade called on members to regularize their membership at all levels.
He explained that the iftar gathering was meant to foster unity among members in the spirit of Ramadan and discuss strategies for strengthening the party.
Similar events, he noted, had been held in other zones within the state.
The event was attended by key political figures, including representatives of the “Major is Coming 2027” group led by its Director of National Mobilisation and Strategy, Ezekiel Akintola.
The group is aligned with the aspirations of former Action Alliance presidential candidate, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (retd).
Also present were the Chairman of SDP Lagos State, Femi Ferrari, and the leadership of the National Liberation Movement led by Suleiman Oyediran.
