Photo: Abuja, where the SDP unveiled its presidential campaign council on Wednesday (file photo) — Wikimedia Commons.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appointed Yunusa Tanko, former spokesman for Peter Obi and immediate past National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, as National Coordinator of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tanko was unveiled on Wednesday during the inauguration of the party's 12,000-member Presidential Campaign Council at its national secretariat in Abuja, and will coordinate the campaign of the party's presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.
- Tanko resigned as Obi's political adviser for Northern Nigeria on October 30
- He will coordinate Adewole Adebayo's presidential campaign for the SDP
- The Obidient Movement has congratulated its former coordinator
How Tanko left the Obi camp
Tanko served as spokesman for Obi's 2023 presidential campaign and became National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, helping to build the nationwide volunteer structure behind Obi.
On October 1, 2026, Obi removed him as the movement's coordinator and appointed him his Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria. Tanko announced his resignation from that role on October 30, saying he was returning to the National Consultative Front, where he serves as co-chairman.
"I tendered my resignation on the 30th of October 2026 as the political advisor to His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, to represent Northern Nigeria," Tanko said at the unveiling, thanking the SDP leadership for the confidence reposed in him.
How the Obidient Movement reacted
The Obidient Movement congratulated its former coordinator in a statement dated November 11, describing the appointment as recognition of his political experience and organisational capacity.
The movement said it was proud that individuals who had served within its ranks were securing influential positions across different political platforms.
What happens next
Tanko has pledged to build a formidable campaign organisation for Adebayo and his running mate, Dr Usman Bugaje, who chairs the Presidential Campaign Council, with party chairman Professor Sadiq Abubakar Gombe chairing the National Campaign Council.
His move is the latest high-profile defection in the 2027 race, coming weeks after the principals' campaigns entered full swing ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
Credit: QNC News and Very Nigerian reports of November 11–12, 2026. Follow @newstweetnaija on Instagram for the day's biggest stories.
