The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appointed a former coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, as the national coordinator of its presidential campaign council for the 2027 elections.
The SDP unveiled Tanko as its national presidential coordinator on Wednesday during the inauguration of the party’s campaign council in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Tanko pledged to work with Adewale Adebayo, the SDP presidential candidate, and Usman Bugaje, his running mate, to secure victory in the 2027 elections.
“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, that makes this particular party people-oriented,” he said.
Tanko said he resigned as political adviser (north) to Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), on October 30.
He said his resignation followed his appointment to the leadership of the National Consultative Front (NCFront) after the death of Ghali Na’Abba, the group’s former co-chairman and ex-speaker of the house of representatives.
Tanko said he had reached out to Obi and Seriake Dickson, national leader of the NDC, whom he commended for their support when he served as coordinator of the Obidient Movement.
He pledged to work with the NCFront leadership and Adebayo, saying his relationship with Adebayo dates back to 2023, and added that they share a commitment to building a better Nigeria.
“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.
Obi appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.
Tanko served as Obi’s presidential campaign spokesman during the 2023 elections when the former Anambra governor contested under the Labour Party (LP) platform.
Tanko was the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) presidential candidate in 2019 and the party’s national chairman in 2023.
