RismadarVoice Reporters
May 29, 2026
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Adewole Adebayo, has criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over the state of the economy, insecurity and the rising cost of living in the country.
In a statement issued on Friday to mark the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration, Adebayo said many Nigerians were struggling to meet basic needs, including food, healthcare and education.
According to him, recent economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, have increased hardship for citizens.
“Many are working very hard, but the economy of the government of the day makes them look lazy because when they go home, the children will ask the question: ‘ Why is there no food? Why was I sent out of school with no school fees paid?” he said.
Adebayo also cited the rising cost of transportation as evidence of worsening economic conditions.
“Those of us who came to our convention on June 8, 2022, the money with which you came to the convention, you needed 15 times that amount to pay transport now,” he stated.
The SDP candidate further raised concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria, warning against what he described as a growing threat of “one-man rule.”
“People have told me that Nigeria is in danger of one-party rule. I said, ‘Don’t worry about that.’ The real problem is that we are in danger of one-man rule,” he said.
He stressed the importance of strengthening democratic institutions and preserving political diversity, noting that Nigerians deserved multiple political parties representing different ideas and interests.
“Nigerians need diversity. We need different political parties that believe in different things, but who are loyal to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
Adebayo also outlined the SDP’s plans ahead of the 2027 elections, saying the party would field candidates for governorship, Senate and House of Representatives seats across the country.
“We will contest 109 senatorial seats with patriotic Nigerians. We will run for 360 seats in the House of Representatives and all the governorship positions,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to unite across political, ethnic and religious divides in pursuit of good governance and national development.
“Anyone who opposes corruption, insecurity, cheating, division and injustice is the real opposition,” he added.
Meanwhile, Afenifere chieftain, Oba Oladipo Oladotun, also expressed concern over insecurity and economic hardship in the country.
In a separate statement, Oladotun said many Nigerians could no longer “sleep with both eyes closed” due to persistent insecurity, while unemployment and poverty continued to affect citizens.
“Our youths roam the streets without jobs, and our farmers and traders struggle daily just to survive,” he said.
He called for the protection of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and urged opposition groups to work together in defence of democratic values and citizens’ welfare.
“This suffering of many is not an act of God. Nigeria urgently needs a change of government — a fundamental shift from policies that favour the few to programmes that serve the many,” he stated.
Oladotun also advocated policies focused on job creation, agriculture, affordable education, healthcare, housing and infrastructure development.
