The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has announced a significant restructuring of its leadership with the appointment of new national officers as part of strategic preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The appointments, approved by the party's National Working Committee (NWC), were disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba.

According to the statement, the decision to fill vacant positions followed a recent NWC meeting chaired by the party's National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam.

"This restructuring is in line with the provisions of the SDP Constitution and the mandate given to the NWC by the National Convention," Aiyenigba explained. "It is a strategic move to fortify the party's leadership base as we gear up for the 2027 elections."

Key Appointments

The new appointments include:

- Senator Ugochukwu Uba as Deputy National Chairman (South)

- Professor Sadiq Umar Abubakar as Deputy National Chairman (North)

- Mr. Hussani Ado Bello as National Financial Secretary

Profiles of New Officers

Senator Uba, a veteran politician from Anambra State, previously served as Director-General and Commissioner during the SDP-led administration of the late Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife in 1992. He was also a member of the Centre for Democratic Studies (CDS) under Professor Omo Omoruyi during the Babangida era.

Professor Sadiq Umar Abubakar from Gombe State is a statistician and academic with a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Development. His political experience includes serving as the pioneer National Secretary of the SDP from 2010 to 2015 and as the party's governorship candidate in Gombe State in 2011. He also served as the first Director-General of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Nigeria.

Mr. Hussani Ado Bello, a chartered accountant from Kano State, brings financial expertise as a retired civil servant and finance consultant. His previous roles include SDP Kano State Chairman in 2018, Organising Secretary of IPAC in 2019, and Chairman of the Forum of SDP State Chairmen in 2020.

The National Publicity Secretary emphasized that the new officers were carefully selected based on their experience, loyalty, and capacity to contribute meaningfully to the party's national vision.

"These appointments, effective from May 15, 2025, reflect our commitment to inclusive and effective leadership that will drive the party forward," Aiyenigba added.

The restructuring comes as political parties across Nigeria begin positioning themselves for the 2027 general elections, with the SDP clearly signaling its intentions to be a major contender in the upcoming electoral cycle.