Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
As Nigeria moves steadily toward the 2027 general elections amid worsening economic conditions, rising insecurity, and growing public frustration, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) says it is deliberately repositioning itself as a credible alternative to the country’s dominant political forces. In an exclusive interview, the SDP National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, outlines the party’s strategy for revival, its ideological foundation, internal reforms, and views on coalitions, while delivering a sharp critique of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Dr. Gombe acknowledges that the SDP currently has limited representation at the National Assembly and in state Houses of Assembly but insists that this reality does not define the party’s prospects in 2027. According to him, Nigeria is approaching an election cycle shaped not by political machinery alone, but by equity, fairness, and justice. He argues that the depth of hardship facing Nigerians has significantly heightened political awareness, with citizens now more attentive to policies and their real-life consequences than at any point in recent history.
Since assuming leadership, Gombe says the party has focused on rebuilding its structures from the grassroots upward, reconnecting with members at ward, local government, and state levels, and restoring confidence in the SDP brand. He describes the party’s ideology as firmly rooted in humanitarianism, justice, equity, and welfarism, values he believes clearly distinguish the SDP from many existing parties, including the ruling party. For him, leadership must be measured by outcomes rather than rhetoric, particularly by how many people are lifted out of poverty and how policies tangibly improve daily life.
The SDP chairman points to the role of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewale Adebayo, whose ongoing engagement with national issues has helped sustain the party’s visibility. Gombe says Adebayo’s approach resonates with Nigerians because it goes beyond criticism of government actions to proposing workable alternatives. He argues that Nigerians, empowered by access to information through traditional and digital media, can now differentiate between empty slogans and serious policy thinking.
Despite not holding power at the federal level, Gombe maintains that the SDP is already engaging communities across the country through health initiatives, youth and sports development, and welfare programmes. He cites Ondo State and other parts of the country as examples where such grassroots engagement is rebuilding trust and steadily expanding the party’s support base. According to him, governance should not begin only after winning elections, but through consistent service and presence among the people.
Responding to critics who question the SDP’s popularity, Gombe rejects the idea that popularity alone determines a party’s capacity to govern. He invokes the party’s historic victory in the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest, which was later annulled by the military regime. That legacy, he says, still resonates deeply with Nigerians and serves as a reminder of what credible, people-driven politics can achieve. He contrasts this with parties that have dominated governance for decades, arguing that Nigerians can now clearly see the outcomes of their stewardship in the form of economic hardship, unemployment, and insecurity.
Gombe insists that the harsh realities of daily life are themselves campaigning for change. He says the SDP’s strategy is issue-based and solutions-driven, focusing on security, education, youth development, women’s inclusion, and economic opportunity. These, he stresses, are not mere promises but areas where the party has developed clear policy directions. In a free and credible electoral environment, he believes Nigerians will vote based on competence, vision, and character rather than ethnicity, religion, or entrenched political loyalties.
On the question of coalitions ahead of 2027, the SDP chairman draws a clear distinction between alliances of convenience and what he describes as a coalition of the people. He expresses skepticism about politicians who frequently defect from one party to another, arguing that many of them have contributed to Nigeria’s longstanding challenges. Repackaging such figures under new platforms, he warns, does not offer Nigerians a genuine alternative. Nevertheless, Gombe acknowledges the political reality that no single opposition party can defeat the ruling party alone, making alliances inevitable.
However, he insists that any coalition involving the SDP must be built on a shared understanding of Nigeria’s problems and a sincere commitment to reform, rather than personal ambition. He criticises what he describes as elite negotiations that exclude ordinary citizens, while poverty and insecurity continue to worsen. According to him, the SDP’s approach prioritises direct engagement with citizens, civil society organisations, youth and women’s groups, and community leaders, with the aim of building a movement anchored on integrity, competence, patriotism, and service.
Gombe also addresses recent disciplinary actions taken against some national officers of the party, presenting them as evidence of the SDP’s readiness for leadership. He says the party’s credibility depends first on internal discipline and adherence to its constitution. When allegations of financial irregularities and fraudulent activities emerged within the National Working Committee, he explains, the party followed due process, leading to suspensions, investigations, and eventual expulsions of those who refused to appear before disciplinary panels. He emphasises that these decisions were collective, taken by twelve out of fifteen NWC members, and were institutional rather than factional in nature.
Looking ahead to 2027, with multiple presidential aspirants emerging, Gombe expresses confidence that the SDP can avoid the post-primary crises that often plague Nigerian parties. He attributes such crises to injustice, lack of transparency, and exclusion, and says the SDP is committed to providing a level playing field for all aspirants. With justice, equity, and fairness as guiding principles, he believes party members will rally behind whoever emerges through a transparent process.
In his assessment of the Tinubu administration, Gombe acknowledges that it inherited serious challenges but describes its approach as deeply troubling. He criticises the removal of fuel subsidy without adequate social cushioning, the introduction of additional tax reforms amid widespread hardship, and what he sees as rising poverty, insecurity, excessive borrowing, and ostentatious governance. For him, government exists to serve the people, and policies must prioritise welfare and empathy. He concludes that a hungry population cannot be patriotic, warning that without purposeful leadership and prudent use of resources, Nigeria risks a bleak democratic and economic future.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments