The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appointed former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, as the National Coordinator of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Tanko was unveiled on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja during the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council.

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The event was attended by members of the party’s National Working Committee, chieftains, stakeholders and supporters.

His appointment places him in charge of coordinating the SDP’s presidential campaign organisation as the party prepares to present Prince Adewole Adebayo as its candidate in the 2027 presidential election.

Also present at the ceremony was Obiora Ifoh, the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, alongside other chieftains associated with the Julius Abure-led faction of the party.

Tanko’s latest political move comes less than two weeks after he announced his resignation as Peter Obi’s Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria, a position he accepted following his removal as 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 unveiling, Tanko thanked the SDP leadership for the appointment and pledged to work with Adebayo and other party leaders towards the 2027 election.

He described the SDP as a left-wing, people-oriented party committed to representing Nigerians who are often neglected.

“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 also expressed appreciation to the party for entrusting him with the responsibility of coordinating its presidential campaign.

He explained that his return to the NCFront followed the death of its former co-chairman, Ghali Na’Abba, who was a former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Na’Abba had jointly led the organisation with Professor Pat Utomi. Tanko said he assumed a leadership role in the NCFront on October 18 to fill the vacancy created by the former speaker’s death.

He described the SDP appointment as an opportunity to return to a political platform he had helped build and contribute to its stated mission of serving Nigerians.

The former Obidient Movement coordinator also confirmed that he had formally resigned from Obi’s political advisory position before accepting the SDP offer.

“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 further disclosed that he had contacted Obi and the National Leader of the National Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson, following his decision.

He pledged to work with the NCFront leadership and Adebayo, describing his relationship with the SDP presidential candidate as one that predated the latest appointment.

According to him, their political relationship dates back to 2023, when they shared an interest in pursuing what he described as a better Nigeria.

Tanko’s appointment marks another change in his political journey, having previously served as a prominent figure in Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign and the mobilisation of supporters through the Obidient Movement.

In September 2024, Obi appointed him as the movement’s National Coordinator worldwide, following an arrangement to zone the position to Northern Nigeria.

He had earlier served as Obi’s spokesman and media director of the defunct Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation.

However, on October 1, 2026, Obi announced Tanko’s removal from the coordinator position and reassigned him as Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria. Dr Moses Paul subsequently took over as the Obidient Movement’s National Coordinator.

Tanko’s new role with the SDP therefore represents a further shift from the political structure in which he played a central role during the 2023 election.

The SDP’s unveiling of its campaign council comes as political parties begin putting structures in place ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.

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The party’s national leadership has said the council will coordinate its campaign activities, while Tanko is expected to work with Adebayo and other officials in pursuing the party’s electoral objectives.