2027: Our target is Tinubu, not Jonathan — SDP

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, has said the party is focused on defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election, not former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Adebayo made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on Trust TV while reacting to reports linking Jonathan with the 2027 presidential race.

According to him, the SDP would welcome Jonathan’s participation if the former president genuinely decides to contest.

“Defeating Goodluck Jonathan is not our problem. Our plan is to defeat Tinubu,” Adebayo said.

He added that Jonathan’s return to the race could provide Nigerians an opportunity to hear from a former leader who has gained more experience since leaving office.

“If it’s not a case where people have kidnapped his image and brand, Jonathan is coming out to run, I would welcome that because it means that at least he would bring a perspective,” he stated.

Adebayo said Jonathan would need to explain why Nigerians voted him out of office in 2015, including issues relating to insecurity and governance during his administration.

“He’s been in office before. He must have learned one or two things and would want to explain why Nigerians kicked him out of office in the first place and what lessons he has learnt from that,” he added.