BREAKING: Hakeem Lawal officially resigns from SDP

Former Social Democratic Party (SDP) gubernatorial candidate in Kwara State, Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal, has officially resigned his membership of the party.

Lawal, the son of late former Kwara State Governor Mohammed Lawal, confirmed his exit in a formal resignation letter dated Tuesday, January 27, 2026, addressed to the leadership of the SDP in Magaji Aare Ward I, Ilorin.

In the letter, which was received and acknowledged by the ward chairman on the same day, Lawal expressed gratitude to the party for the opportunity to fly its flag during the 2023 governorship election.

“Serving as the gubernatorial candidate of the party was an honour that provided invaluable political exposure and experience,” he stated, while commending the party leadership, particularly the state chairman, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Afolabi, for the support and cooperation extended to him.

Lawal noted that his decision to leave the SDP followed “wide-ranging consultations, careful reflection, and sincere consideration of counsel” from his political family and other stakeholders.

According to him, the move became necessary to reassess his political direction in the broader interest of his supporters and the aspirations they collectively represent.

“This letter is to officially notify the leadership of the Social Democratic Party in Kwara State of my decision to take leave of the party, effective Tuesday, 27th January, 2026,” the letter read in part.

Although Lawal did not disclose his next political destination, his resignation confirms earlier reports by The Informant247 that the Idi-Ape–born politician was set to part ways with the SDP amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It will be recalled that Lawal defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP in April 2022, where he emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 election.

Informed sources however confirmed that Lawal will move to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC ahead of the 2027 election.