South-West Voters Group Endorses SDP Presidential Candidate, Pledges 6m Votes

The South-West Voters Association of Nigerian Youths (SWAVANY) has endorsed SDP presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo and set a six-million-vote target for him in 2027.

According to the SWAVANY President and Convener, Otunba Subomi Kolawole, the endorsement followed a three-month internal process involving manifesto reviews, town hall meetings and consultations across the South-West.

The group said its decision was based on its assessment of Adebayo’s policies, character and capacity to address economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, energy challenges and other concerns confronting Nigerians.

SWAVANY said it conducted consultations involving youths, students, artisans, market women, farmers and professionals before settling on the Social Democratic Party candidate as its preferred choice for the 2027 presidential election.

The association, which described itself as a grassroots socio-political movement with structures across the six South-West states, said it had listened to Adebayo’s manifesto presentation in Ibadan and considered his choice of the city significant because of its association with the political legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

On the economy, SWAVANY disclosed that Adebayo’s proposal to create 30 million jobs through agriculture, housing, light manufacturing and the digital economy influenced its decision to support him.

The group also said his proposed approach to security, including recruitment and training of personnel, deployment of technology and community-based security structures, addressed concerns over kidnapping, banditry and other threats.

On energy, SWAVANY stressed that Adebayo’s promise to fix existing refineries, promote modular refineries and ensure Nigeria refines what it consumes was another reason for its endorsement.

The association further said it considered Adebayo’s legal and business background and his position on accountability and the rule of law as part of its assessment.

On youth participation, SWAVANY noted Adebayo’s promise that at least 70 per cent of his appointees would be youths and women, describing the proposal as consistent with its demand for greater youth representation in government.

Declaring its support at Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, SWAVANY directed its state, zonal, local government and ward structures, as well as polling-unit mobilisers, to begin mobilisation for Adebayo and the SDP.

The group said its objective was to secure a minimum of six million youth votes for Adebayo from the South-West, while urging student unions, artisan groups, market associations and other progressive-minded Yoruba groups to join its campaign.

SWAVANY expressed confidence in Adebayo’s presidency in securing the country, reducing poverty and delivering what it described as “a new Nigeria that works for all.”