Opposition Leaders Face Challenges After SDP Rejects Merger Talks

SDP Declines Merger Offers Amid Opposition Leaders' Strategic Reevaluation

As the political landscape in Nigeria continues to shift, opposition figures are rethinking their strategies ahead of the 2027 elections. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has made waves by rejecting merger proposals from prominent political figures, leaving many key players in a difficult position. Through its National Secretary, Olu Agunloye, the SDP confirmed on Monday that it has no intention of entering into any merger agreements or adopting external takeover models. Instead, the party is committed to retaining its identity and structure.

SDP's Commitment to Identity and Electoral Success

In a statement, Agunloye emphasized the party's focus on maintaining its identity as it moves toward electoral success. "We will maintain our identity as we work towards electoral success. We are focused on avoiding the kind of political instability that comes with rushed mergers, which could lead to legal disputes and distractions from the core objective of winning elections," he explained. The SDP's decision has left opposition leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and several former ministers from the Muhammadu Buhari administration, searching for alternative political platforms.

Exploring New Political Platforms Amidst Uncertainty

Sources speaking to Punch revealed that these leaders, who once hoped to form a broad coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027, are now exploring other options. Atiku's announcement to form a broad opposition coalition gained momentum with the defection of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the SDP. This raised hopes for a wider political realignment. However, the SDP's rejection of merger terms has brought discussions among these opposition leaders to a crossroads.

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Resistance from SDP Leadership Creates Tension

The refusal of the SDP leadership to make necessary structural changes has caused tension. Salihu Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the APC, spoke candidly about the impasse in an interview with Sunday PUNCH. "The issue is for the SDP leadership to open up and agree to produce new leadership that reflects the new setup, from the ward level to the national level. They are resisting this, and it has become a major obstacle," Lukman explained. He likened the situation to buying a house but being told that no changes could be made after moving in, creating a bottleneck in ongoing negotiations.

SDP's Firm Stance on Merger Terms

Despite the impasse, Agunloye remains resolute about the SDP's position. He stressed that the party does not want its leadership to be dictated by new entrants or to adhere to any merger conditions. "We do not want to be bought off. Some are not interested in our identity or what we stand for. They want to change the name, constitution, and manifesto of the party, and that is not something we are willing to accept," Agunloye explained.

Push for "Working Arrangement" Over Full Merger

The SDP is advocating for a "working arrangement" rather than a full merger. This would allow opposition parties to collaborate while maintaining their respective identities. Agunloye emphasized that the party seeks to optimize resources, experience, and reach in order to win elections. "What we want is election victory, and that's what we can achieve regardless of the challenges we face. We want transparency, fairness, and an equal playing field in this collaboration," he stated.

Opposition Leaders Continue Search for Viable Platform

While the SDP remains firm in its position, opposition leaders are not backing down. A former minister under Buhari, who is part of the ongoing political realignment, revealed that discussions are still in progress with several parties. "Our platform considerations for acquisition, adoption, and merger are not exclusive to the SDP. We are exploring options beyond the SDP, including possibly reviving dormant parties or acquiring smaller platforms to avoid the conflicts that often arise in large mergers," the former minister shared.

Commitment to United Front Against President Tinubu

The opposition leaders are carefully weighing their options, hoping to find the most viable platform for the 2027 elections. "There are numerous possibilities. We are still processing our strategies, and no collective decision has been made yet. But rest assured, the goal remains a united front against President Tinubu in 2027," the former minister said.