The CountryFirst Movement and other pro-democracy organisations have endorsed the presidential ambition of Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The groups described Adebayo as the presidential candidate with the most detailed manifesto and a practical roadmap for tackling Nigeria’s major challenges.
The endorsement was announced on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at a world press conference following what the coalition described as an extensive review of the manifestos, policy proposals and implementation plans presented by presidential candidates.
Speaking for the coalition, CountryFirst Movement Convener, Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr., said the decision followed a patriotic assessment of the candidates’ preparedness, policy direction and ability to provide effective governance.
The coalition said its position was driven by the need to shift Nigerian politics away from vague campaign promises and towards issue-based campaigns built around practical policies, measurable targets and clear timelines.
Nwaokobia said the coalition began its campaign on August 26, 2026, challenging presidential candidates to publish detailed manifestos outlining their plans for Nigeria.
According to him, 18 presidential candidates were listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but only one submitted what the coalition considered a complete and comprehensive manifesto. Ten others, he said, submitted briefs containing graphics and summaries of their programmes without adequate details or implementation timelines.
The groups expressed concern that many political parties had become largely electoral vehicles rather than ideological platforms with clearly defined visions, policies and development plans.
They argued that Nigeria’s persistent leadership problems could be addressed by promoting ideological consistency, strong policy development and measurable commitments to national progress.
In presenting Adebayo as its preferred candidate, the coalition described him as a lawyer, businessman, media entrepreneur and progressive politician with the experience and commitment needed to lead the country.
The groups also pointed to the SDP’s historical association with the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, whose 1993 presidential campaign was built around the message, “Farewell to Poverty.”
They said Adebayo’s campaign slogan, “Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity,” reflects the party’s ideological roots and its focus on tackling poverty, insecurity and other pressing national issues.
The coalition said Adebayo’s 117-page printed manifesto, alongside its 138-page electronic version, presents a broad framework aimed at moving Nigeria from poverty to prosperity, insecurity to safety and economic hardship to an improved standard of living.
The manifesto identifies 12 key presidential priorities, including national security, food security, improved electricity supply, affordable energy, job creation, enterprise development, education and skills acquisition, healthcare, infrastructure, innovation, transparency and accountability, as well as strengthening national unity.
The groups noted that the document also provides a four-year implementation plan outlining how the proposed administration would execute its policies and assess its performance.
Under the plan, the first 100 days would focus on establishing a Presidential Delivery and Performance Office, issuing performance and compliance directives to ministries, departments and agencies, conducting baseline assessments across key sectors, identifying priority projects and introducing measures to improve procurement transparency.
The proposed government would also establish federal-state delivery agreements and publish its first presidential performance dashboard.
For the first year, the manifesto proposes measures aimed at stabilising essential services, strengthening national security, increasing agricultural production, accelerating domestic refining and energy logistics, launching power and transport projects, and creating skills and employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
The second and third years would focus on expanding industrial clusters and strategic infrastructure, improving electricity distribution, irrigation, storage and food processing, while promoting pharmaceutical production, technology, manufacturing, rail and urban transport, housing and water projects.
The fourth year would focus on completing priority projects, institutionalising successful programmes, releasing audited performance reports and providing Nigerians with a transparent assessment of the administration’s performance.
The coalition also praised the manifesto’s emphasis on constitutional governance, social democracy, cooperative federalism, evidence-based policymaking, private-sector collaboration, accountability and citizen participation.
According to the organisations, the proposed governance model draws significantly from Chapter II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which outlines the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.
The groups maintained that Adebayo’s policy proposals provide a credible alternative to what they described as years of poor leadership and unfulfilled political promises.
“We present to Nigerians the candidate with a clear blueprint and a workable programme for a new Nigeria,” the coalition declared, urging citizens, civil society organisations and other pro-democracy groups to support Adebayo’s candidacy.
The coalition also urged political parties to publish detailed manifestos before setting up their presidential campaign councils, arguing that campaign structures should be built around clearly defined policy commitments.
It warned that without significant changes to Nigeria’s political culture, the country could remain trapped in a cycle of unprepared leadership and disappointing governance outcomes.
The endorsement was jointly signed by Nwaokobia, Convener of the CountryFirst Movement; Dabiraoluwa H. Adeyinka, Coordinator of the Power in the Streets Movement (PITS); Alhaji Musa Isah of the Forum of North West Progressives; Obinna Okeke, Organising Secretary of the CountryFirst Movement; Fred Uke of the United Middlebelt Forum; Bernice Adeyemi of the South South Peoples Forum; and Ayegba Iyaji of the National Rescue Movement, North Central.
The organisations called on Nigerians to support Adebayo, the SDP and the Movement Adebayo for President (MAP), describing the campaign as a roadmap towards building a new Nigeria.
They expressed optimism that Adebayo’s victory in 2027 would usher in a new era of prosperity, security, accountability and inclusive national development.
The coalition said its endorsement was based on a policy-driven assessment of the presidential candidates and urged Nigerians to pay greater attention to manifestos, ideological clarity and measurable governance commitments when choosing the country’s next president.
