2027: SDP appoints Peter Obi’s ex-adviser as campaign coordinator

Yunusa Tanko, a former special adviser to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has been appointed National Coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign team.

Mr Tanko’s appointment was announced on Wednesday during the inauguration of the SDP Presidential Campaign Council at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

His appointment comes barely two weeks after he resigned as Mr Obi’s political adviser for Northern Nigeria. Before his appointment, Mr Tanko served as the national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, a political movement campaigning for Mr Obi’s presidential bid.

He was welcomed into the SDP campaign team by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), leaders and supporters.

Tanko speaks

In his acceptance speech, Mr Tanko pledged to work with the party’s presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election.

He described the SDP as a left-wing political party that represents the interests of ordinary Nigerians, particularly the downtrodden. He also thanked the party’s leadership for the confidence reposed in him.

“The SDP is a left-wing political party. For those of you who do not know, we represent the interests of the downtrodden. The SDP represents those people that you neglect on the streets. So, this party is people-oriented.

“I express my profound gratitude and sincere appreciation to Almighty Allah for making this historic event possible. I equally thank the leadership of the Social Democratic Party for the confidence and repose in me by appointing me as the National Coordinator of the SDP Presidential Campaign Organisation for the 2027 Presidential Election,” he said.

Mr Tanko said he had informed Mr Obi, his former principal, and Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the NDC, of his decision to join the SDP campaign.

“I tendered my resignation on the 30th of October 2026 as the political advisor to His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, to represent Northern Nigeria. I have since reached out to His Excellency Mr Peter Obi and the National Leader of the National Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson, whom I must confirm did a very good job by receiving me when I was the Chairman and Coordinator of the Obidient Movement.”

He said his decision to work for Mr Adebayo stemmed from their long political relationship, which dates back to 2023.

Mr Tanko pledged to work with the SDP candidate and other political stakeholders to advance their shared vision of a better Nigeria.

“Therefore, I wish to accept the new role with humility and total commitment to work wholeheartedly with my compatriot in the National Consultative Front and the SDP Presidential Candidate, His Excellency, Prince Adewale Adebayo.

“This is not a mistake in history. If you look back at history, you will see my warm relationship with him as far back as 2023. So this is a relationship that has long been built. In advancing our political mission to a new Nigeria that works for all, I pledge to remain consistent and committed to our unwavering belief in good governance, justice, equity, national loyalty and dedication and unwavering commitment to new Nigeria from where it is to a better and prosperous Nigeria,” he said.

What this means for Peter Obi

Mr Tanko’s defection adds to the list of prominent figures who have either parted ways with Mr Obi or withdrawn their support for his political ambition since the 2023 general election.

Among them is Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, who resigned from the party in July 2024 and publicly declared that he had lost confidence in Mr Obi’s ability to build a formidable political party and secure electoral victory.

Also, Doyin Okupe, who served as director-general of Mr Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, resigned from the Labour Party in January 2024, citing ideological differences. He later said he could no longer support Mr Obi, though he maintained he did not regret supporting him in the 2023 election.

Isaac Balami, another prominent figure associated with the Obidient movement, was also among those whose departure from the movement was acknowledged by the Peter Obi Support Network in July 2024.

More recently, some former members of Mr Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign organisation, led by Adesina Fagbenro-Byron, a former director of Operations, and Fabian Chukwudoruo, a former head of logistics, announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in 2027. The group, which adopted the name Batified Obidients, said its decision followed its assessment of Mr Obi’s leadership and the experience of working in his campaign organisation.

The Obidient Movement, however, questioned the political credentials of some members of the group and challenged them to provide evidence of the positions they claimed to have held in the 2023 campaign.

Mr Tanko’s departure is particularly significant because of his previous roles as the national coordinator of the Obidient Movement and Mr Obi’s political adviser for Northern Nigeria. His experience in coordinating supporters and mobilising grassroots support could be an important asset to the SDP as it prepares for the 2027 election.