Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewale Adebayo, has revealed that high-level discussions are underway with representatives of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party flagbearer, Peter Obi, over a potential defection to the SDP.

Adebayo made the disclosure during an interview on Sunday Politics aired on Channels Television, where he noted that a wave of prominent political figures, including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, are gravitating towards the SDP ahead of the 2027 elections.

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“People are joining my party, and we are welcoming them,” Adebayo said.

“You can see how active I am in welcoming them. The only little issue we have with some of them is changing the culture, especially if they have not been in an environment where rules are taken seriously.”

He added that while some of the politicians come from backgrounds where “Boy Scout-like activities and black market operations” were common, the SDP is focused on instilling a culture of discipline and order.

“All these people you have mentioned — El-Rufai, Atiku Abubakar, and even former Governor Peter Obi — are coming. A lot of people are coming, and we will welcome them,” he stated.

Although no formal defections have occurred yet, Adebayo said that he has received confirmation from multiple sources within the party, including the Financial Secretary, that serious conversations are ongoing.

He also urged the potential defectors to embrace the values and structure of the SDP, warning that conformity to party culture is essential.

“If they can stick to our culture and follow the way we do things in the SDP, and produce a good alternative for Nigerians, we are going to manifestly defeat the APC and retire President Tinubu to Lagos or wherever he chooses in Nigeria,” Adebayo said.