Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo on Thursday accused President of dragging Nigeria towards dictatorship, saying the country is fast becoming a “one-man show” under the current administration.
Adebayo, who spoke shortly after emerging as the SDP presidential flag bearer for the 2027 election at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, said Nigerians must rise to protect democracy before it is completely destroyed.
“People say Nigeria is drifting towards one-party rule. I said no, the real danger is one-man rule because that is where they are taking us,” he declared before party delegates and supporters.
The SDP standard bearer alleged that Tinubu was desperate to dominate the nation’s political space and weaken opposition parties.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not satisfied being presidential candidate of APC alone. He wants to be presidential candidate of APC, PDP, Labour Party, SDP and even your birthday party,” he said.
Adebayo also accused the Federal Government of putting pressure on democratic institutions, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“They tell INEC which party to register, which convention to attend and which leaders to recognise,” he alleged.
The former presidential candidate blamed the Tinubu administration for worsening hardship, insecurity and unemployment across the country.
“Why are our youths running to foreign countries to survive when they have a country of their own? Why are women giving birth under trees while leaders travel abroad for treatment?” he queried.
He slammed the removal of fuel subsidy by the Tinubu administration, describing the move as poorly planned and disastrous for Nigerians.
“When he said ‘subsidy is gone’ without preparation or structure, I knew immediately his chances of succeeding were gone,” Adebayo said.
According to him, despite trillions allegedly saved from subsidy removal, Nigerians have continued to suffer with no visible improvement in their daily lives.
“He has borrowed more money than Nigeria borrowed since independence, yet contractors are unpaid and there is no accountability,” he alleged.
Adebayo promised that if elected president in 2027, his administration would reduce poverty and unemployment drastically through industrialisation, massive job creation and education reforms.
“In the first 18 months of our administration, poverty will reduce to two per cent, while unemployment will drop to four per cent within two years,” he promised.
He also pledged free and compulsory education from elementary school to university level.
“Until you get a job, you have not graduated,” he declared.
The SDP candidate further promised free and affordable healthcare for Nigerians, saying citizens’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) would also serve as health insurance numbers.
“Every Nigerian will have four free medical examinations every year,” he assured.
On industrial revival, Adebayo pledged to restore moribund national assets, including Ajaokuta Steel, textile factories and refineries.
“Ajaokuta will work. Kaduna textile will work. Gombe textile will work. Our refineries will work,” he said.
He also vowed to crush insecurity and terrorism if elected.
“There is no square inch of Nigeria where terrorists should dominate. The bandits will go when Tinubu goes,” he declared.
Adebayo called on opposition parties, civil society groups and Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides to unite under the SDP ahead of the 2027 election.
“Anybody who opposes corruption, insecurity and injustice is part of the real opposition. Forget religion and ethnicity; come together and rally with the SDP,” he appealed.
He described the 2027 election as a battle to rescue Nigeria from economic collapse and restore democratic governance.
“We will not snatch power, grab it or run away with it. Power belongs to the Nigerian people,” he said.
