The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has appointed former spokesperson for Peter Obi and immediate past National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, as National Coordinator of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Tanko was unveiled on Wednesday at the inauguration of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council at its national secretariat in Abuja, in the presence of members of the National Working Committee, party chieftains, stakeholders and supporters.

Also present were former Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, and other prominent members of the Julius Abure-led faction of the party.

His appointment comes less than two weeks after he resigned as Obi’s Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria, a position he assumed following his removal as National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement in October.

Speaking at the unveiling, Tanko expressed appreciation to the SDP leadership for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with the party’s presidential candidate, Prince Adewale Adebayo, to secure victory in the 2027 election.

He described the SDP as a left-wing, people-oriented political platform committed to defending the interests of disadvantaged Nigerians.

According to him, the party represents ordinary Nigerians, particularly those neglected by successive administrations.

Tanko also explained that his return to the National Consultative Front followed the death of its former co-chairman, Ghali Na’Abba, who jointly led the organisation with Professor Pat Utomi.

He said he assumed a leadership position in the NCFront on October 18 to fill the vacuum created by Na’Abba’s death.

The former Obidient coordinator disclosed that he formally resigned as Obi’s political adviser on October 30 before accepting the SDP appointment.

He said he had also reached out to Obi and the National Leader of the National Democratic Congress, Senator Seriake Dickson, to inform them of his decision.

Tanko pledged to work closely with the NCFront leadership and Adebayo, noting that his relationship with the SDP presidential candidate dated back to 2023.

His appointment marks another significant shift in his political journey after playing a prominent role in Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign and coordinating the Obidient Movement’s mobilisation efforts.

In September 2024, Obi appointed him National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement worldwide following a consensus arrangement that zoned the position to Northern Nigeria.

Before then, Tanko had served as Obi’s spokesperson and media director of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation.

He resigned as Obidient Movement coordinator on October 1, and was subsequently appointed Obi’s Political Adviser for Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.

His departure from Obi’s political camp comes amid other defections involving former loyalists of the former Anambra State governor.