By Grant Onyeke

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has ruled out participation in any proposed ‘rainbow coalition’, reaffirming its commitment to contesting the 2027 general elections on its own platform.

The party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, stated this on Thursday in Abuja while briefing journalists after a meeting with the party’s nine governorship candidates.

Gombe said the meeting was aimed at strengthening the party’s preparations for the elections through consultations, exchange of ideas and strategic planning.

He said the SDP was also engaging with other opposition parties on issues of common interest, including efforts to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.

“We are not into any rainbow coalition. We are SDP and we are for SDP candidates,” he said.

Gombe said the party was committed to presenting credible candidates at all levels, urging Nigerians to assess them based on their competence, capacity, character and patriotism.

He identified Dr Adewole Adebayo and Dr Usman Bugaje as the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively.

He said the SDP would collaborate with other opposition parties on election monitoring, training of polling agents and the establishment of joint situation rooms to promote transparency during the elections.

Gombe also expressed concern over the non-publication of the names of some SDP candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the party was pursuing the matter in court.

He urged INEC, the judiciary and security agencies to discharge their responsibilities impartially to safeguard the credibility of the electoral process.

Earlier, the Chairman of the SDP Governors’ Forum and the party’s governorship candidate in Nasarawa, Abubakar Adamu, said the meeting provided an opportunity for candidates to exchange ideas and harmonise strategies ahead of the elections.

Adamu, a former inspector General of Police, said the discussions focused on strengthening the party’s structures and improving its chances in the presidential, governorship and legislative elections.

He expressed confidence in the party’s prospects, saying it was committed to addressing the concerns of Nigerians, especially those relating to their welfare and living conditions.

The nine governorship candidates at the meeting represented Nasarawa, Oyo, Benue, Niger, Adamawa, Plateau, Kano, Gombe and Bauchi states. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade