Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the 2023 elections, Adewole Adebayo, has said the former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, doesn’t have the mandate of the party to hold coalition talks with opposition leaders.

Mr Adebayo stated this while dismissing a report claiming that Mr El-Rufai is representing the SDP in the ongoing coalition discussions.

Mr El-Rufai, who dumped the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, in March and joined the SDP, has been among strong advocates of an opposition coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

But speaking during an interview on Channels TV, Mr Adebayo clarified that only the leadership of the party can spearhead such negotiations.

“The SDP is not involved in any coalition led by somebody else,” he said.

“The SDP is led by Alh. Shehu Gabam and Olu Agunloye. He has not given me an assignment to do a coalition on his behalf.

“He’s not given any assignment to my senior brother, El-Rufai. El-Rufai is not representing SDP in any coalition,” Mr Adebayo stated.

When questioned about the possibility of the SDP entering a coalition, the former presidential candidate noted that the party is exploring its options and planning strategically.

“The SDP is waiting, is expressing its own understanding of how best it will come together and remove this person and cause the APC and non-performing president called Bola Tinubu,” he said.

He further highlighted the SDP’s internal strategies, stating, “The SDP has plans, and we are looking at various options.

“And we realise that at the end of the option, we will need a political party that is viable.”