{
  "id": 8044001,
  "title": "Why I joined SDP at 19 – Presidential candidate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/why-i-joined-sdp-at-19-presidential-candidate-8044001",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T15:10:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/why-i-joined-sdp-at-19-presidential-candidate/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prince Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), recalled joining the party at the age of 19 while studying law at the University of Ife, now known as Obafemi Awolowo University. The decision to join came after he read the party's manifesto and realized it was a strong platform despite being formed during the military regime. Adebayo's initial opposition to political parties was due to his belief that soldiers should not be involved in forming them. However, after reading the SDP's manifesto, he decided to join. His first assignment in the party was to paste political posters all over Lagos, an experience he described as part of growing through the ranks. Adebayo urged young professionals to see themselves as potential national leaders and emphasized that Nigeria's challenges are surmountable with the right resources and human capacity. He also cautioned against allowing ethnic, religious, regional, or gender sentiments to divide the country and stressed the importance of mobilizing voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.",
  "summary": "SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has recalled joining the party at 19, saying he began his political career by pasting campaign posters. Read More: https://punchng.com/why-i-joined-sdp-at-19-presidential-candidate/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Premium Times",
        "title": "How SDP leaders worked with APC to create ‘false opposition’ – Vice Presidential candidate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/how-sdp-leaders-worked-with-apc-to-create-false-opposition-vice",
        "published": "2026-09-17T08:56:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Why I joined SDP at 19 – Presidential candidate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/why-i-joined-sdp-at-19-presidential-candidate",
        "published": "2026-09-17T14:50:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}