The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the South-West region has distanced itself from the coalition of opposition political parties.

It said no part of the party in the Southwest region had joined a coalition with any party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Recall that a coalition of opposition parties in Nigeria had adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 general elections.

This decision was arrived at a meeting which had in attendance former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; the 2023 Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi; former Senate President, David Mark; former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai; and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, among others.

Speaking in Ibadan during the Southwest stakeholders’ meeting of the party, the Chairman of chairmen in the 36 states of the federation and FCT, Abuja, Hon. Femi Olaniyi, otherwise known as ‘Ferrari’ maintained that nobody can take any decision on behalf of the party concerning joining the coalition, except directive from the party National Working Committee (NWC).

He noted that the SDP in the Southwest region still awaits the NWC of the party to come up with its stand, and everything regarding the coalition.

Olaniyi said, “As it stands now, there is nothing like a coalition in SDP.”

He allayed the fear of party members on various challenges confronting them in their respective states, saying, “The NWC has promised to guide us and assist each state with membership cards, register and every other thing at the appropriate time.”

Olaniyi maintained that there is unity among leaders and all stakeholders in the region as they always speak with one voice for the progress of the party.

“In 2027, we will rescue Nigeria from the current administration, bring a formidable government and show all Nigerians a true and real democracy.”

Olaniyi, who also doubles as Lagos State Chairman of the party, said, “We discussed the challenges, progress and the coalition at our meeting.

“We have seen how everything is being played out in our party. So, we need to brief our members, especially our stakeholders in the region.

“In the six states of Ondo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo, respectively, we have been asking a series of questions regarding this so-called coalition, and we just called our people to intimate our resolve not to be part of any coalition at the moment.”

Also speaking, a serving lawmaker representing Ise-Orun Constituency in the Ekiti State House of Assembly under SDP, Babatunde Omotayo, said, “We are here to resolve some issues. We resolved issues and dialogued for the development of our party- SDP.

“The most important among what we discussed was how we can remain one and speak with one voice to move the party forward in the region. So, SDP as a political party doesn’t have a plan to join the so-called coalition.”