The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appointed ex-Peter Obi ally and former Obidient coordinator,Yunusa Tanko, to lead its presidential campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tanko’s appointment was announced during the inauguration of the SDP Presidential Campaign Council which was attended by members of the party’s National Working Committee, chieftains, stakeholders and supporters.
The SDP appointed Tanko as National Coordinator of its Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on Wednesday to coordinate the party’s campaign for the 2027 elections and work with its presidential candidate, Prince Adebayo, to pursue victory at the polls.
The ceremony also attracted the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, alongside other members of the Julius Abure-led faction of the party.
Tanko’s appointment came about two weeks after he resigned as Obi’s Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria. He had taken up the role after being removed as the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement in October.
He announced his resignation on October 30, 2026, saying he was returning to the National Consultative Front (NCFront), where he serves as co-chairman.
Speaking after his appointment, Tanko thanked the SDP leadership for entrusting him with the responsibility and promised to work with Adebayo to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election.
He described the SDP as a left-wing and people-focused party committed to protecting the interests of 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 said.
Tanko said his appointment would enable him to contribute to the country’s political development and help advance the party’s agenda.
He also recalled taking up a leadership role in the NCFront on October 18, following the death of its co-chairman and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba. Na’Abba had shared the position with Professor Pat Utomi.
According to Tanko, his new role in the SDP offered him an opportunity to return to a political platform he helped establish and continue working towards its objective of serving Nigerians.
He confirmed that he had resigned from his position as Obi’s Political Adviser before accepting the SDP appointment.
“I tendered my resignation on the 30th of October 2026 as the political advisor to His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, to represent Northern Nigeria,” he said.
Tanko added that he had informed Obi and Senator Seriake Dickson, the National Leader of the National Democratic Congress, about his decision. He also praised Dickson for supporting him during his tenure as chairman and coordinator of the Obidient Movement.
The appointment represents a new phase in Tanko’s political career, he pledged to collaborate with the NCFront leadership and Adebayo, noting that his relationship with the SDP candidate began in 2023, when he was previously a key figure in Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign and played a major role in mobilising supporters through the Obidient Movement.