A resurfaced campaign poster of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from his time as a Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in 1993 has sparked widespread discussions online, reigniting debates about his early political journey and his connections to the party.
The viral poster emerged shortly after a notable figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, publicly claimed that Tinubu “owns” the SDP. His statement followed the recent defection of Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, from the APC to the SDP, a move that has further intensified political discourse in Nigeria.
El-Rufai cited unresolved internal conflicts within the ruling APC as his primary reason for leaving the party. His defection has led to speculations regarding the future of the SDP and whether it might serve as an alternative platform for political figures dissatisfied with the APC.
Reacting to this development, Joe Igbokwe took to social media to issue a warning to individuals who might be considering contesting for the presidency under the SDP in the 2027 elections. He strongly asserted that Tinubu has the ultimate influence over the party, implying that anyone seeking political relevance within the SDP must recognize Tinubu’s authority.
“If indeed SDP is still alive and kicking in Nigeria, then know the truth and have inner peace: PBAT is the owner. Ignore him to your own peril,” Igbokwe wrote, referencing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s historical ties to the party.
He further reinforced his point by recalling Tinubu’s political career in the early 1990s, stating that the president was a senator under the SDP in 1993. “Go and investigate and verify. He is the owner of SDP,” Igbokwe added in a follow-up post.
The resurfacing of Tinubu’s old SDP campaign poster has fueled further conversations on social media, with some Nigerians questioning the extent of his political influence and whether his past affiliations still hold significance today.
See the viral poster below;
