The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is strengthening its grassroots base, capitalising on growing public dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s biting economy, as it prepares for the 2027 elections
SDP Nigeria is actively strengthening its grassroots base, capitalising on growing dissatisfaction among Nigerians in the face of a biting economy.
Also read: SDP’s Adebayo Affirms Democracy as Nigeria’s Best Path Forward
Dr Kingsley Agbor, the Ebonyi State Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), recently discussed the party’s preparedness for the 2027 elections and offered his views on Nigeria’s 26 years of democracy. His party prioritises quiet, strategic movement to build its foundation.
Dr Agbor reflected on the party’s recent activities in Ebonyi State, drawing an analogy to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s words.
He noted that when poles and wiring are installed, people rarely notice; attention only comes when the lights illuminate. “That’s exactly what we’re doing in SDP,” Agbor explained.
“We’re laying structures, connecting grassroots networks, and consolidating our position.”
He confirmed the party’s active presence across all 13 Local Government Areas and with executive members in virtually every electoral ward in Ebonyi State.
Despite this extensive work, the party operates quietly and strategically as an opposition force, aiming to surprise observers. Soon, he believes, people will start asking, “Where has SDP been all this while?”
Responding to the perception that the SDP is ‘lifeless’ in Ebonyi State, Dr Agbor offered another proverb.
He suggested that people who loudly pound their mortar every night sometimes mistakenly believe that others, whose pounding is unheard, go hungry.
He applied this to the political landscape: “The ruling party, because they are in control of the resources and all that, they are free to make all the noise and all that. They believe erroneously that there is no other person existing.”
In contrast, he stated, the SDP, as an opposition party, needs to employ effective tactics, which currently involves going underground.
“But I can tell you that we are very much alive, and we will take them by surprise,” he asserted. Therefore, the belief that life has been snuffed out from SDP in Ebonyi State is simply not true.
On June 12, Nigeria marked 26 years of uninterrupted democracy. Dr Agbor questioned whether Nigerians have truly enjoyed democratic governance during this period.
He pointed out the spirit of June 12 originated from the SDP, the platform on which the late MKO Abiola won the 1993 election.
When evaluating Nigeria’s democracy by its core definition — government of the people, by the people, and for the people — he believes the nation has fallen short.
“Government of the people? It implies the people elect their leaders,” he stated. “But with the current electoral system, from INEC to the judiciary, the will of the people is often subverted. So, no, we haven’t achieved that.”
He then questioned governance for the people, asking about access to basic amenities like pipe borne water, stable electricity, accessible healthcare, or quality public schools.
Democracy should benefit the people, yet economic hardship persists, with a crate of eggs now costing ₦7,000.
He concluded, “I can say that we have just been surviving but whether the core mandate of democracy has been delivered, the answer is no!”
Dr Agbor unequivocally stated that Nigerians are “purely living in deception.” He meticulously explained how, when evaluating each aspect of democracy line by line, Nigeria has failed to meet any of the core mandates.
The way forward, according to Dr Agbor, is precisely what the SDP has been doing: continuously advocating, mobilising, and sensitising the people to bring about genuine change.
He lamented the missed opportunity in 1993, suggesting that if MKO Abiola had governed, the country would not be in its current state, where ₦2,000 buys little and domestic flights are prohibitively expensive.
He expressed distress at the current trend of defections to a government that has worsened living conditions for its people, a government where its “today is better than tomorrow.”
He affirmed the SDP’s continued commitment to advocating and mobilising, expressing hope that in 2027, they will “get it right.”
He stressed that the SDP is poised and fully prepared to lead Nigeria to where it should have been in 1993.
When asked to rate Governor Francis Nwifuru’s two years in office, Dr Agbor stated he would not score the administration highly.
He described it as “cosmetic governance,” similar to David Umahi’s previous administration. He distinguished this from “hard core governance,” which he defines as initiatives that genuinely drive the economy and create employment, not just visible infrastructure that lacks economic impact.
He used the example of former Kaduna Governor Nasir El Rufai’s partnership to establish Olam Farms, which created thousands of jobs and significantly contributed to the state’s economy.
Until the Nwifuru administration embraces such hard core governance, Dr Agbor will not give it a pass mark.
Regarding his own political future and the possibility of defecting to the ruling party, Dr Agbor remained firm.
He questioned why he would defect to a government he describes as cosmetic. He stated he has chosen a path of service through hard core governance and will remain on the side that advocates for true change.
He expressed his desire for a legacy that stands the test of time, like those of past leaders such as Sam Mbakwe and Jim Nwobodo.
On the SDP’s preparedness to take over governance in Ebonyi State, Dr Agbor projected that the 2027 election will not be a contest between PDP or any other party and APC.
Instead, he sees it as “Nigeria and APC,” with Nigerians seeking a highly organised platform, which he believes is the SDP.
He confirmed their full readiness, noting their quiet, underground work. He hinted at surprising candidates emerging on SDP tickets, not necessarily the popular faces, but rather “hardcore people who have travelled far and wide.”
Responding to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who dismissed those championing a coalition against President Tinubu as incredible, Dr Agbor recalled a conversation with El Rufai.
El Rufai recounted how in 2013, when they were regrouping into APC to unseat PDP, they faced similar dismissals about removing an incumbent government with control over state resources.
El Rufai advised against distraction and confirmed that six months before that election, they were confident of victory because they had worked underground, going door to door and observing a shift in Nigerian sentiment.
Dr Agbor stated he is not surprised by Umahi’s comments, given his current position, but assured that just as it happened in 2015, the unexpected will occur.
Also read:Â Former Abacha Aide Al-Mustapha Enters 2027 Presidential Race
He regretfully predicted that when it does, people like David Umahi will be among the first to defect back to the SDP.
