Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has fired a strong warning to Nigeria’s political class, declaring that politics must not be turned into a money-making venture but a platform to serve the people.
Speaking at a high-level meeting involving groups such as Afenifere, the Northern Elders Forum, and the Arewa Consultative Forum, Adebayo said Nigeria’s founding ideals were rooted in unity, fairness and service values he insists must be restored.
Tracing Nigeria’s history, he noted that the country was built through negotiation among its diverse peoples, culminating in the Lancaster House Conferences that paved the way for independence.
According to him, early political leaders formed parties to drive development and improve the lives of citizens before military rule derailed the nation’s democratic progress.
“What we are doing now is to bring back that original vision governance for the greatest good of the greatest number,” he declared.
Adebayo stressed that the current engagement goes beyond party politics, describing it as a national effort to rebuild the philosophy of governance and strengthen the social contract between leaders and citizens.
In a stinging remark, he warned against “transactional politicians” who treat politics like gambling.
“Politics is not a casino where people come to invest and walk away with huge profits. It is about service to Nigerians,” he said.
He also invoked the legacies of past nationalist leaders like Obafemi Awolowo, Aminu Kano and Nnamdi Azikiwe, noting that their movements were driven by genuine commitment to the people.
Adebayo concluded that the alliance of key regional groups is aimed at rescuing Nigeria from self-serving politics and returning power to the people.
