The South-West Voters Association of Nigerian Youths (SWAVANY) has declared Prince (Dr.) Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), as its preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The declaration was made on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, during a gathering at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, following what the association described as a three-month internal assessment and consultation process.
According to SWAVANY, the process involved the review of presidential candidates’ manifestos and consultations with various groups, including youths, students, artisans, market women, farmers and professionals across the South-West.
The association said its assessment focused on the candidates’ character, competence, capacity and proposed solutions to some of the country’s major challenges.
Why Adebayo Was Chosen
SWAVANY said its decision was influenced by what it described as the growing economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, challenges in education and healthcare, energy concerns and the limited participation of young Nigerians in governance.
The association said Adebayo’s proposed agenda addresses several of these areas, particularly employment creation, economic development, security and institutional reform.
Among the proposals highlighted by SWAVANY are the creation of 30 million jobs through agriculture, housing, light manufacturing and the digital economy.
The association also cited plans to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture through improved recruitment, training, equipment, technology and community-based security initiatives.
On energy, SWAVANY said Adebayo’s programme includes efforts to revive existing refineries, encourage modular refining and expand local refining capacity.
The group further noted his stated commitment to the rule of law, anti-corruption measures and greater representation of young people and women in government.
Grassroots Mobilisation
Following the endorsement, SWAVANY said it had directed its structures across the South-West to commence voter education, mobilisation and grassroots engagement ahead of the 2027 election.
The association said its organisational network covers 137 local government areas and more than 1,500 wards across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states.
It also announced an aspiration to mobilise at least six million youth votes from the South-West for Adebayo and the SDP.
SWAVANY stressed that the figure represents its mobilisation target as it moves to engage voters at the grassroots level.
Call to South-West Youths
The association called on youth organisations, student unions, artisans, market associations and other groups across the region to participate actively in the political process ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
It urged eligible voters to examine the programmes, character and competence of all presidential candidates before making their choice at the polls.
The endorsement was signed by Otunba Subomi Kolawole, President/Convener of SWAVANY, and Arowosomo Ayomide Aderayo, Director of Mobilization and Strategy.
The association said its campaign would focus on voter education, grassroots engagement and mobilisation as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
