The Nigerian police earlier today stormed the national headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The security operatives allegedly stormed the party secretariat shortly after the presidential screening exercise of former SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.
The invasion caused panic among party officials, supporters, and staff members and further heightened political anxiety ahead of the 2027 general elections.
On account of this development, Adebayo has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of attempting to intimidate opposition voices and frustrate internal democratic processes within the SDP.
According to sources within the party, Adebayo had visited the SDP national secretariat in Abuja for his presidential nomination screening exercise before policemen allegedly swooped on the premises in the early hours of Thursday.
Witnesses said the sudden presence of security personnel created confusion around the secretariat as party members struggled to understand the motive behind the operation.
Reacting after the incident, Adebayo alleged that the action was part of a coordinated plot aimed at disrupting the SDP’s presidential nomination process and preventing him from emerging as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The SDP chieftain accused President Tinubu of allegedly seeking to impose what he described as “one-man rule” in Nigeria, while also alleging that forces loyal to the presidency were behind the development at the party headquarters.
Adebayo specifically named James Faleke and Joash Amupitan among individuals he claimed had perfected plans to destabilize the party’s internal process and frustrate his ambition.
“President Tinubu the autocrat has sent his goons to invade the SDP National Secretariat a day after I completed my presidential primary election screening,” Adebayo said.
“Tinubu wants one-man rule in Nigeria. We will defeat him. It is cowardly and not presidential for the President to be afraid of competition.”
He further alleged that the development was part of a wider attempt to weaken opposition parties ahead of the next presidential election.
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