The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to destabilise opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging attempts to infiltrate their ranks and weaken their capacity to challenge the government.
The party said it would resist any move to undermine its political structure, declaring that it would rather strengthen cooperation with genuine opposition parties to protect votes and ensure credible elections.
National Chairman of the SDP, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, made the position known on Thursday in Abuja after a meeting with the party’s governorship candidates from across the 36 states.
Gombe alleged that the APC was attempting to infiltrate opposition parties under the guise of the Rainbow Coalition, with the intention of creating divisions and weakening their political strength ahead of the polls.
He said the SDP had no interest in any arrangement designed to advance the ruling party’s political interests or frustrate the emergence of a credible opposition.
“As a political party, we don’t have anything to do with the Rainbow Coalition. SDP is alongside other political parties in the opposition, doing everything possible to rescue our dear country through a coalition of the Nigerian people,” he said.
The SDP chairman warned that members who participated in unauthorised political arrangements would face disciplinary action, insisting that the party would not allow its platform to be used for activities contrary to its position.
Rather than join the Rainbow Coalition, Gombe said the SDP was working with other opposition parties to strengthen their capacity to monitor elections and protect votes.
He disclosed that the parties were considering joint training of polling agents and the establishment of common situation rooms across the country to monitor the electoral process.
“We will train together, have common situation rooms so that we will be our own INEC at the polling unit, and be our own security at the polling unit, to make sure that there must be free, fair and credible elections come 2027,” he said.
Gombe explained that the meeting with the governorship candidates was designed to harmonise strategies, review political developments across the states and strengthen the party’s electoral machinery ahead of the general elections.
He also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to publish the names of some SDP candidates, despite what he described as the party’s compliance with the Electoral Act and nomination procedures.
According to him, the party has taken the matter to court, expressing concern over what he described as attempts to frustrate opposition candidates through administrative and legal processes.
The SDP chairman also condemned alleged moves to disqualify the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, insisting that political parties should be allowed to nominate their candidates in accordance with the law.
He urged the judiciary, INEC and security agencies to remain impartial, warning that public confidence in the electoral process could suffer if institutions responsible for safeguarding democracy were perceived to be taking sides.
Gombe further raised concerns about the voters’ register and the creation of additional polling units, saying opposition parties must remain vigilant to ensure transparency and credibility in the 2027 elections.
He identified Prince Adewale Adebayo and Dr Usman Bugaje as the SDP’s presidential ticket, describing them as leaders with the competence, character and patriotism to provide Nigerians with an alternative to the ruling party.
The chairman expressed confidence in the party’s governorship candidates, citing those in Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau states as examples of the calibre of individuals the SDP was presenting to the electorate.
Earlier, Chairman of the SDP Governorship Candidates Forum and Nasarawa State governorship candidate, Muhammad Abubakar Adamu, said the meeting offered candidates an opportunity to share experiences, harmonise positions and develop common strategies.
Adamu said Nigerians were increasingly seeking an alternative to the APC, adding that the SDP was positioning itself to address concerns about citizens’ welfare and living conditions.
He argued that improving living standards and addressing economic hardship would help reduce crime and social tension.
Other governorship candidates at the engagement included Mogaji Olusegun Agboola (Oyo), who is secretary of the forum; Prof. Sebastine T. Hon, SAN (Benue); Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, SAN (Niger); and Christopher Nathaniel (Adamawa).
Also in attendance were Dr Simple E. Dafup (Plateau), Ibrahim Saminu Mai Bushira (Kano), Adam Mohammed Ma’aji (Gombe) and Engr. Ayuba Dauda Katagun (Bauchi).
The meeting was part of the party’s efforts to consolidate its structures and prepare its candidates for the 2027 general elections.
