RismadarVoice Reporters
May 29, 2026
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has declared that Nigeria is heading toward a “dangerous crossroads” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, promising to “fix the country” if elected in 2027.
Speaking after emerging as the SDP’s presidential candidate at the party’s convention in Bauchi, Adebayo unveiled what he described as a 500-point rescue agenda aimed at tackling poverty, unemployment, insecurity and economic decline.
The SDP flagbearer accused the Tinubu administration of worsening economic hardship, weakening democratic institutions and steering the country toward authoritarianism.
“Because we are hungry, homeless, jobless, and without peace, those are serious problems. But there is an even bigger problem: the little freedom we still have is about to disappear,” Adebayo said.
He urged Nigerians to protect democratic freedoms and support a multi-party political system.
“Use your freedom while you still have it. Use your freedom to give yourself a multi-party democracy,” he added.
Adebayo launched a series of attacks on President Tinubu, accusing the administration of political overreach and economic mismanagement.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not satisfied being the presidential candidate of APC. He wants to be the presidential candidate of APC, PDP, Labour, SDP, NYSC even your birthday party,” he stated.
The SDP candidate further alleged that the current administration prioritises personal enrichment over national welfare.
“As your president, he sees you as commodities to buy and sell. He is the number one businessman using government power to enrich himself and his cronies,” he claimed.
Adebayo blamed worsening inflation and economic hardship on the removal of fuel subsidy, arguing that Nigerians had yet to see the promised benefits of the policy.
“Trillions saved from subsidies have disappeared. The government has borrowed more money than Nigeria borrowed since independence, yet contractors remain unpaid and nobody can explain where the money went,” he alleged.
He also criticised the administration’s tax policies, describing them as excessive and burdensome to citizens and businesses.
Despite his criticism, Adebayo insisted his opposition to Tinubu was ideological rather than personal.
“I am not an enemy of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am an enemy of poverty and poverty is Tinubu’s friend. I am an enemy of corruption and corruption is his profession,” he said.
The SDP presidential candidate contrasted the current administration with past Nigerian leaders whom he described as visionary and development-focused.
According to him, his proposed administration would focus on poverty reduction, industrial revival, education, healthcare and job creation.
Adebayo said the SDP’s economic blueprint aimed to reduce poverty to two per cent within 18 months and unemployment to four per cent within two years through targeted employment and public works programmes.
He also promised free and compulsory education from elementary to tertiary level until graduates secure employment, alongside reforms in healthcare and industrialisation.
On security, Adebayo vowed to restore territorial control across the country and eliminate terrorism and banditry.
“There is no square inch of Nigeria where a terrorist can survive. There is no part of Nigeria where a bandit can stop anybody from going anywhere,” he declared.
The SDP candidate also called for opposition unity ahead of the 2027 elections, urging Nigerians across political, religious and ethnic divides to rally behind the party.
“I appeal to opposition elements in Nigeria: forget your differences about religion, ethnicity, gender, age and political party. Rally with the SDP,” he said.
Adebayo further disclosed that the SDP plans to field candidates for all elective positions nationwide, including governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly seats.
He anchored his campaign message on constitutional provisions relating to the welfare and security of citizens, insisting that Nigeria’s resources must be used to improve the lives of Nigerians.
