SDP hails Adebayo, party leaders for not defecting after 2023 poll loss

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has lauded its 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, and members of its National Working Committee for their unwavering loyalty and dedication to the party's rebuilding efforts following the last general election. The commendation came during a press conference in Abuja, where the party leadership expressed strong confidence in their ability to field credible candidates for the upcoming 2027 general elections.

Professor Sadiq Gombe, the National Chairman of the SDP, reflected on the party's journey since the 2023 election, which saw the All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Tinubu declared the winner. Gombe attributed the SDP's survival through various internal and external challenges to the commitment of its members who chose to stay and fight within the party rather than defect. He contrasted this with the common practice of politicians switching parties when electoral prospects dim, emphasizing that the SDP stands out for its members' steadfastness.

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Today, when a politician sees that he’s not going to make it to the position he wants to attend to, he would now move to the party. You find that they want to rule the country, yet they cannot remain in their political party and salvage the situation.

Adebayo, in particular, was praised for his post-election conduct. Despite losing the presidential poll, he did not lose interest or join another party. Instead, he actively engaged in rebuilding the SDP and remains a committed member. The party chairman also commended the National Working Committee members for their resilience, noting that despite facing numerous challenges and "sustained attempts to destabilize" the party, they remained committed due to their patriotism and dedication to the nation's "rescue mission."

Gombe asserted that this collective commitment prevented the National Working Committee from fracturing and thwarted attempts by those seeking to hijack the party. The SDP's stance underscores a commitment to internal party discipline and a belief in salvaging the situation through legal and legitimate means, positioning them for future electoral contests.

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That is where the SDP stands out. We also have a presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, who is somehow second to none. He’s somebody who contested the election in 2023 and lost the presidential poll. But he didn’t join another party or lose interest. Instead, he was up and doing and started to rebuild in the party. He remains here with us.