SDP promises women equal representation in appointments for 2027 elections

The Social Democratic Party has announced that its manifesto for the 2027 general elections is ready. They plan to unveil it soon, and part of the promise includes 50 percent representation for women in appointments and party roles.

The SDP National Chairman, Sadiq Gombe, shared this information on Thursday. He spoke at the national conference of the party’s women leaders at their secretariat in Abuja. Gombe was represented by the SDP South-South Deputy Chairman, Senator Ugochukwu Uba.

Gombe mentioned that the party is reorganising itself ahead of the 2027 elections. He promised that women would be more included in the party’s activities and appointments. He said the party aims to give women equal opportunities.

He explained, "The SDP is going to unfold its manifesto very soon, in fact, in a few days. And in that manifesto, we have made a provision that in whatever we are going to do, women will have their place in appointments and organisations. It will be 50-50."

Gombe added, "This is the vision of SDP. We’re going to give women their rightful place in all activities and deliberations. Once our manifesto comes out, you’re going to see it. But I assure you, women will not be left behind."

He also stated that the party is being reorganised for the upcoming elections. Gombe expressed confidence in the party's presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, who is already sharing the party’s policies with Nigerians.

"Our presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, is also all over the place making our policies known to Nigerians. We want to assure you that once our manifesto is released, you will see that every sector of society is covered."

Gombe continued, "Again, if we implement that manifesto, Nigeria will not be the same. We will have a different country altogether."

He called on women leaders to boost mobilization in their states before the party’s campaign starts. Gombe said, "We need you all to keep working and mobilising women at every level when you get to your respective states so that once the campaign takes off, our women will be totally ready to go along with everybody."

He added, "We are setting the pace and telling Nigerians that the SDP, as a party, will not disappoint the country. But let me repeat that when our manifesto is released in a couple of days, Nigerians will know that the deal has changed."

The National Secretary of the SDP, Olu Agunloye, confirmed that the manifesto is ready. He said they are just putting the final touches on their public launch. Agunloye, a former minister, told our correspondent that they might unveil the manifesto next week.

He stated, "The manifesto is ready as we speak. What we are hoping to do now is the actual launching." When asked if a date has been set for the unveiling, Agunloye replied, "No particular day has been selected yet. The players are in the field, but the manifesto is ready to be unveiled for Nigerians to see. Hopefully, it will happen next week."

Earlier, the National Speaker of the SDP Women Parliament, Sa’adatu Abdullahi, urged women leaders nationwide to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 elections. Abdullahi said the party needs solid structures at all levels to achieve its political goals.

She said, "This meeting gives us an opportunity to assess where we are, identify our weaknesses and structures and develop practical strategies for taking the SDP message to every ward, community and household."

Abdullahi encouraged the women leaders to collaborate and return to their states with renewed commitment for grassroots mobilization. She said, "Our strength is in our unity, our power is in our organisation, and our weapon is our determination. We must organise, mobilise and deliver results."