Prince Adewole Adebayo has been elected as the Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general elections.

He was u’animously elected by delegates from the 36 States and FCT during the elective national convention of the party held at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Memorial Stadium in Bauchi on Saturday.

The delegates cast their votes through voice votes led by the Chairman of each state in line with the provisions of the constitution of the party, as well as the electoral guidelines.

Adebayo was the sole presidential Aspirant before the election, and he was elected and returned unopposed.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman, National Convention Organising Committee, Usman Bugaje, alleged that the “National institutions like the judiciary and the Democratic Institutions like INEC have become tools in the hands of unscrupulous politicians, tossing them around like chess pieces.”

“The attempt by the ruling party to block the political space and eliminate competition and opposition is the most despicable of all offenses today. Those in the ruling party, and those in INEC and those in the judiciary who are aiding and abetting this crime appear to be not only bereft of character but also bereft of history. “

Usman Bugaje added that “Only a quarter century ago, Late General Abacha with all his military might and vicious character like his chief security officer did what they could, detained who they could, killed who they could; yet could not get what they wanted.”

The Convention also elected new national leaders of the party in line with the constitution of the party with Prof Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe emerging as the National Chairman while Sen Ugochukwu Uba elected as Deputy National Chairman (South) and Dr Olu Agunloye emerging as the National Secretary.

Other National Officers are: Hajiya Mariam Maggie Batubo, Treasurer, Barr Joseph Achile Abu, National Organizing Secretary, Anaba Rufus Aiyenigba, National Publicity Secretary, Barr Aderemi Abimbola, Legal Adviser and Mal Bello Ado Hussaini, Financial Secretary.

The rest are: Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdullahi, Women Leader, Hon Daniel Ibe, Youth Leader, Rosemary Effiong, Welfare Secretary and Chief Lekan Alabi, Leader, PWDs. (Saturday Tribune)