Following the defection of the former governor of Kaduna State and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Malam Nasir El-Rufai to the Social Democratic Party, SDP, the ex-Presidential flagbearer of the party in the 2023 general election, Barrister Adewole Adebayo said, he will be the party’s candidate in 2027.

Adewole stated this amid speculations that El-Rufai defecting to the party may want to highjack the leadership to supplant to presidential candidate in the 2027 election that would stop President Bola Tinubu from second term of office.

Adewole, speaking on Arise Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Friday, March 14, 2025, said he is not intimidated by the heavy weight politicians defectring into the party.

When asked if he’s worried about the ‘heavy-weight’ politicians joining the SDP, Adewole said he is not worried by the claim that the high-profile politicians defecting to the party can push him aside.

El-Rufai said he defected to the SDP as a result of APC’s lack of leadership sincerity, accusing APC leaders of fuelling their selfish ambition against the yearnings of Nigerians.
Since last week that El-Rufai defected, he has been rallying round other topnotch political office holders to join him in SDP with a view to form alliance ahead of 2027 to stop the ruling APC which he insisted has derailed.

But Adebayo said: “Let us understand something. I don’t worry about that; everybody who is coming in knows I will run in 2027.”

He added, “Any coward who will feel threatened by people coming to his party can not be president.”

Adewole also said President Bola Tinubu will be defeated in 2027, and an SDP president will emerge.

“Tinubu is going to be removed from power, that one is sure, and there would be an SDP president,” he asserted.

On coalition, he said the SDP is not yet discussing alliances with any party, adding that political parties that want a coalition can approach the party.

The APC Professional Network, an umbrella body for professionals within the All Progressives Congress (APC), has described the defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as a major betrayal.

Despite his move to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the group maintains that the situation is not beyond resolution.

In a statement released on Saturday, the group’s President-General, Victor Walsh Oluwafemi, emphasized El-Rufai’s significance within the APC, stating, “Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has played a crucial role in the APC’s growth and governance objectives. His departure, coupled with his recent comments, is both unexpected and disappointing. It raises concerns about party loyalty, consistency, and the commitment needed to build a stronger APC.”

While acknowledging El-Rufai’s right to political association, Oluwafemi noted the impact of such moves on the party’s integrity and unity.

He reaffirmed the APC Professional Network’s dedication to the party’s core values of good governance, accountability, and development.

“As professionals within the APC, we urge our members and supporters to remain calm, focused, and resolute,” he said. “This development must not derail our collective mission of advancing the party’s agenda for a prosperous and united Nigeria, he said”.

The group further called on party leaders at all levels to reinforce internal cohesion and address concerns that could trigger further defections.
“Now, more than ever, the APC must demonstrate leadership, unity, and resolve,” Oluwafemi stressed.

He assured members that the network remains committed to strengthening the party and ensuring its continued success.

The Concerned PDP League (CPDPL) has raised the alarm over what it describes as a calculated and deliberate smear campaign against the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.

According to the group, the campaign is aimed at setting President Bola Tinubu against the Minister.

The group specifically pointed an accusing finger at activist Barr. Deji Adeyanju.

In a statement jointly signed by the League’s National Secretary, Alhaji Tasiu Makila Muhammad, and its Acting Director of Publicity, Comrade Justina D. Dashi, the group alleged that Adeyanju has taken over the role of critic from Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, whom they accused of sponsoring baseless press conferences against the FCT Minister.

“Recall that Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere has benefited from sponsorship to fuel his propaganda campaign against the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, by the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Sim Fubara. Since the political tension in Rivers State began, Ugochinyere has exploited the situation for personal gain. However, our apex leader and group have consistently exposed his lies and propaganda, making Nigerians take his press conferences with a pinch of salt. But now, it appears there is a transition from him to Adeyanju.

“We have reliably gathered that Deji Adeyanju, either personally or through a proxy, is preparing to address a ‘State of the Nation’ press conference titled Akpabio vs. Natasha and Other Matters Arising at his Wuse 2 office at 9 AM tomorrow, Friday, March 14, 2025. However, he deliberately excluded the Rivers State issue from the announcement, despite planning to focus on it during the briefing. This is because the Rivers State Governor is allegedly funding the event.

“Nigerians may recall that the FCT Minister previously exposed Adeyanju’s hypocrisy, revealing how he once begged Wike to appoint him as the PDP National Publicity Secretary (NPS). Wike, in his characteristic manner, refused, stating that Adeyanju lacked the capacity for the position. That rejection was a major blow to Adeyanju, and since then, he has been determined to castigate Wike while working tirelessly to turn President Tinubu against him. His upcoming press conference is part of that agenda.

“We want to assure Adeyanju that his planned press conference, which he has misleadingly titled Akpabio vs. Natasha and Other Matters Arising but is actually meant to attack the FCT Minister, will be inconsequential and has already failed.

“Therefore, we urge Nigerians and the general public to disregard Adeyanju’s sponsored press conference tomorrow, which is aimed at tarnishing the Minister’s image before President Tinubu and the public. We also advise the Rivers State Governor that sponsoring propagandists and commercial activists will not improve his situation—one that Ugochinyere, his associates, and newfound allies have placed him in,” the statement read.