SDP Presidential Candidate Declares He Is ‘Anointed’ to Give Tinubu Befitting Opposition

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Adewale Adebayo, has declared that he is “anointed by God” to provide a befitting opposition to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the polls.

Adebayo made the declaration on Saturday during his acceptance speech after emerging as the party’s presidential candidate at the SDP primary held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium. He ran unopposed as the sole aspirant who purchased the party’s presidential nomination form.

Speaking before party delegates and supporters, Adebayo said Nigerians are suffering from hardship, insecurity, unemployment, poverty, and poor leadership, insisting that the country needs a new direction. He noted that many citizens are questioning why graduates remain jobless years after leaving universities, while families struggle daily with hunger and lack of access to healthcare.

“The answer is that God is taking His time to give us a day like this. I am anointed by God to give President Tinubu a befitting opposition,” he said.

The SDP candidate accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of suppressing internal democracy and attempting to weaken opposition parties. He alleged that pressure is being mounted on opposition parties and institutions to limit political competition ahead of the 2027 elections.

“What we are doing here, they cannot do it. They wait for one person to choose everybody for them. We need different political parties that believe in different things,” he added.

Adebayo commended Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for allowing the convention to hold peacefully despite political pressure. He described Mohammed as a true representative of democracy.

The SDP flag bearer vowed that the party would contest and win the 2027 presidential election, promising to provide people-oriented leadership across all levels of government. He also pledged that an SDP-led government would tackle poverty, improve grassroots governance, strengthen democratic institutions, and ensure accountability in public office.

He further stated that he is not fighting any individual politician but is opposed to corruption, injustice, unaccountability, and autocracy.

Adebayo urged Nigerians to make use of their democratic freedom and support multiparty democracy, warning against increasing attempts to stifle opposition voices in the country.

He emerged following a vote of confidence and endorsement by delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.