PrinceAdewoleAdebayo
Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has called on Nigerians to reject ethnic and religious sentiments in the 2027 elections and instead evaluate leaders based on competence, integrity and capacity to solve the country’s deepening crises.
Adebayo made the appeal while accepting his party’s presidential nomination, declaring that Nigeria could no longer afford what he described as “leadership built on division, propaganda and empty promises” amid worsening economic hardship and insecurity across the country.
Positioning himself as an alternative to the current political establishment, the SDP flag bearer vowed to confront poverty, unemployment, insecurity and governance failures if elected president.
According to him, millions of Nigerians are battling crushing living costs, rising food prices, joblessness and collapsing social services, while government policies continue to widen the gap between political elites and ordinary citizens.
He said the 2027 election must become a referendum on competence and national rescue rather than a contest driven by ethnicity, religion or financial inducement.
“Nigerians must begin to judge leaders by their capacity to deliver results, not by tribe, religion or personal connections,” he said.
Adebayo promised to pursue what he described as a people-focused economic agenda aimed at restoring stability, reviving industries and rebuilding public confidence in government.
He pledged massive investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, electricity and transportation, while promising to revive moribund refineries, manufacturing companies and agro-processing industries to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.
The SDP candidate also painted a grim picture of the country’s security situation, insisting that no nation can prosper while citizens live in fear.
He promised to strengthen the armed forces and security agencies to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes threatening national stability.
According to him, governance must become responsive and accountable at all levels if Nigeria hopes to reverse years of decline.
Adebayo further warned against what he described as growing threats to democratic freedom and opposition politics, saying democracy cannot survive where dissenting voices are intimidated or political competition is weakened.
He expressed concern over alleged pressure on democratic institutions and stressed the need to protect electoral integrity and multiparty democracy ahead of the 2027 polls.
The SDP candidate also took aim at the economic direction of the current administration, accusing it of increasing citizens’ suffering through higher taxation and policies that have failed to translate subsidy removal gains into visible improvements in people’s lives.
He argued that politics directly affects every aspect of national life, including education, healthcare, jobs, security and economic opportunity, insisting that Nigerians must become more intentional in choosing leaders.
Adebayo commended Bala Mohammed for providing an enabling environment for the SDP convention despite what he described as political pressure.
He said his presidential ambition was driven by a desire to restore hope, strengthen democracy and reposition Nigeria for inclusive growth and national renewal.
As political activities ahead of 2027 gradually intensify, Adebayo’s message signals an attempt by the SDP to frame the next election around governance performance and national competence rather than identity politics that have long dominated Nigeria’s electoral landscape.