IN a significant political development ahead of 2027 general election, Afenifere, the socio-cultural organisation, has formally endorsed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as its preferred political platform.
The decision was reached at the group’s General Assembly held on Tuesday, in Ilesa, Osun State marking a major boost for the opposition party’s national ambitions.
The endorsement is widely seen as a bold attempt to reposition the SDP in a manner reminiscent of its 1993 electoral success, when the late Chief MKO Abiola, secured a landmark presidential victory.
Afenifere declared that SDP’s ideology aligns closely with its long-standing principles of social welfare, justice, and inclusive governance.
The general assembly of Afenifere was presided over by the Leader of the organisation, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and had in attendance, Senator Bucknor Akerele, Mr Olutola Mobolurin, Chief Supo Shonibare, Mrs. Lanre Anjola, Lagos State Leader; Bayo Adenekan, Director Diaspora; Dr Akin Fapohunda, Director, Research & Strategy and Mrs Toyin Falade, National Welfare Officer.
Mr Dele Farotimi, National Organising Secretary; Justice Faloye, Director of Media and Publicity; Arch. Goke Omigbodun, Osun State Chairman; Pastor Fajuminu, Chairman Ekiti State, and Mr. Alade Rotimi-John, deputy general secretary were also at the meeting.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) was represented by its secretary-general, Malam Murtala Aliyu (former Minister of Power); Comrade Salisu Nuhu Mohammad, deputy Director-General of Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and Secretary, Board of Trustees, Labour Party; Dr. Usman Bugaje, Convener, Arewa Movement for Good Governance, among others.
Meanwhile the ACF has clarified that it attended the meeting in Ilesa, based on invitation by Afenifere to promote regional integration and not as an agent of any political party.
This was contained in a statement issued by the national publicity secretary of ACF, Professor Tukur Muhammad Baba, on Wednesday.
The statement noted that, “The attention of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been drawn to a statement issued by someone purported to be speaking for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) claiming that the ACF was represented at a meeting held in Ilesa, Osun State, on March 31, to endorse their party and candidate.
“We wish to clarify that Alhaji Murtala Aliyu, Mutawallen Gombe, the secretary-general of the ACF, attended the meeting at the invitation of Afenifere to witness their General Meeting in Ilesa to further improve the relationship between the socio-cultural groups ACF, Afenifere, and Northern Elders Forum.
It said as well as to discuss ways to move the country forward. He was, therefore, at the meeting as a representative of ACF as an observer.
