SDP Names Yunusa Tanko as Campaign Leader for 2027 Elections

The Social Democratic Party has appointed Yunusa Tanko, former spokesman for Peter Obi and past National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, as the National Coordinator of its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections.

Tanko was introduced to the party’s National Working Committee, leaders, and supporters on Wednesday during the launch of its Presidential Campaign Council at the SDP national secretariat in Abuja.

Present at the event were the former National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, alongside other leaders from the Julius Abure-led faction of the party.

His appointment comes just two weeks after he stepped down as Obi’s Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria. He held this position after being removed as the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement in October.

Tanko, who also chaired the Obidient Movement, announced his resignation as political adviser to Obi on October 30, 2026. He stated he was returning to the National Consultative Front, where he serves as co-chairman.

In his acceptance speech at the SDP event, Tanko thanked the party’s leadership for their trust in him. He promised to work with the party’s presidential candidate, Prince Adewale Adebayo, to secure success in the 2027 elections.

He described the SDP as a left-wing party focused on helping disadvantaged Nigerians. "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 added, "I express my profound gratitude and sincere appreciation to Almighty Allah for making this historic event possible. I equally thank the leadership of the Social Democratic Party for the confidence and repose in me by appointing me as the National Coordinator of the SDP Presidential Campaign Organisation for the 2027 Presidential Election."

Tanko shared details about his return to the NCFront. He took on a leadership role there on October 18, after the passing of its former co-chairman, Ghali Na’Abba, who was also a former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Na’Abba co-chaired the NCFront with Professor Pat Utomi. Tanko said his new role is a chance to go back to the political platform he helped create and support its mission to serve Nigerians.

"It will be recalled that this historic appointment comes on the heels of the assumption of my new role in the leadership of the National Consultative Front on the 18th of October 2026 to fill the vacuum created by the demise of the late Rt Hon Ghali Na’Abba, former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, who co-chaired the leadership of the NCFront with Professor Pat Utomi."

Tanko emphasized his gratitude for being invited back to the NCFront, saying, "It is therefore with appreciation that I receive the invitation of the NC Front recalling me back, back to the house in which we helped to build for a new assignment that will service the Nigerian people."

He confirmed that he had officially resigned his position with Obi before accepting the offer from the SDP. "I tendered my resignation on the 30th of October 2026 as the political advisor to His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, to represent Northern Nigeria."

Tanko said he has spoken with Obi and the National Leader of the National Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson, who he thanked for their previous support during his time as chairman and coordinator of the Obidient Movement.

He pledged to work closely with the NCFront leadership and Adebayo, stating that his relationship with the SDP presidential candidate goes back a long way. "Therefore, I wish to accept the new role with humility and total commitment to work wholeheartedly with my compatriot in the National Consultative Front and the SDP Presidential Candidate, His Excellency, Prince Adewale Adebayo."

He added, "This is not a mistake in history. When you go back into history, you will see my warm relationship with him way back in 2023. So this is a relationship that has long been built. 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."

Tanko’s new role marks another phase in his political career. He previously played a key role in Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign and in rallying supporters under the Obidient Movement.

In September 2024, Obi appointed him as the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement worldwide, following an agreement to zone the position to Northern Nigeria. Before that, Tanko was Obi’s spokesman and media director of the defunct Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation.

In 2015, he served as Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council. He later joined the National Conscience Party and ran for president in 2019.

On October 1, 2026, Obi announced Tanko’s removal as the Obidient Movement’s National Coordinator, and he was named as his Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections. While Tanko thanked Obi and the movement for the new role, some reports suggest dissatisfaction among his supporters who saw it as a demotion after his loyalty to Obi.

Tanko's departure followed the exit of another loyalist, Nana Kazaure, who left the NDC presidential candidate to join the campaign team of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.