WorldStage— In a major political realignment ahead of the Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, Yunusa Tanko, the former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, has officially parted ways with Peter Obi and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The SDP on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, unveiled Tanko as the National Coordinator and Director-General of its Presidential Campaign Council during a formal ceremony at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
In this key leadership capacity, Tanko will spearhead the presidential campaign of the party’s flagbearer, Prince Adewole Adebayo, alongside his running mate, Usman Bugaje.
Tanko’s defection comes nearly two weeks after he formally resigned as Peter Obi’s Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria on October 30, 2026.
His exit from Obi’s inner circle followed an internal shake-up in October that saw him removed as the worldwide coordinator of the Obidient Movement—a position he had held since September 2024—and reassigned to the regional advisory post.
Prior to his recent political realignment, Obi had left the Labour Party to emerge as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Addressing party leaders, members of the National Working Committee, and supporters during the campaign council’s inauguration in Abuja, Tanko described the SDP as a truly people-oriented, left-wing party dedicated to championing the interests of ordinary and neglected Nigerians.
He noted that his decision to align with Adebayo was rooted in a longstanding political relationship dating back to the 2023 election cycle and a shared commitment to equity, justice, and good governance.
Tanko, who previously served as the chief spokesman for Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, revealed that he courteously reached out to both Peter Obi and NDC National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson before accepting the SDP appointment.
He thanked them for their past support while affirming his focus on his new leadership duties, which also include serving as co-chairman of the National Consultative Front (NCFront) alongside Professor Pat Utomi following the passing of former Speaker Ghali Na’Abba.
The inauguration ceremony attracted several notable political figures, including former Labour Party National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh.
Political observers view Tanko’s departure as a significant setback to Obi’s northern mobilization efforts, following the recent exit of other prominent loyalists from the NDC camp ahead of the 2027 polls.
