2027 Showdown Begins: SDP Unveils Power-Packed National Working Committee Lineup

In a calculated effort to strengthen its leadership structure ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has filled three vacant positions in its National Working Committee (NWC).

The development was confirmed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, who stated that the appointments were made in accordance with the SDP Constitution and sanctioned under the mandate granted to the NWC by the National Convention.

Aiyenigba explained that the appointments were ratified during a committee meeting chaired by SDP National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam. The newly appointed officials are expected to contribute their wealth of political and administrative experience to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Newly Appointed Officials:

• Senator Ugochukwu Uba – Deputy National Chairman (South)
  Representing Anambra State, Senator Uba brings a distinguished background in public service and academia. He previously held key roles during the late Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife’s SDP-led government in 1992 and worked with the Centre for Democratic Studies under Prof. Omo Omoruyi. From 2003 to 2007, he served as Senator for Anambra South, where he chaired the Senate Committee on Marine Transport and played a pivotal role in the passage of the Cabotage Act. He holds a first-class degree and a PhD in Political Science and lectured at the University of Abuja until 2021.

• Dr. Sadiq Umar Abubakar – Deputy National Chairman (North)
  A seasoned academic and political economist, Dr. Abubakar has vast institutional knowledge. He holds advanced degrees in International Affairs and Political Economy. He was SDP’s founding National Secretary from 2010 to 2015 and ran for Governor of Gombe State in 2011. He also served as the pioneer Director-General of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Nigeria.

• Hussani Ado Bello – National Financial Secretary
  Representing Kano State, Bello is a chartered accountant and experienced civil servant with years of service at both state and federal levels. Currently working as a financial and tax consultant, he previously served as SDP Kano State Chairman (2018), Organising Secretary for IPAC (2019), and led the Forum of SDP State Chairmen in 2020.

Aiyenigba confirmed that the appointments officially took effect on May 15, 2025, and emphasized that the move is part of SDP’s broader strategy to strengthen its internal structures in preparation for the 2027 electoral race.