Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has launched a sweeping attack on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that the 2027 presidential election would amount to a referendum on hardship, insecurity and economic decline under the current government.
Speaking during an interview on national issues, Adebayo said Nigerians were experiencing unprecedented economic pain driven by inflation, rising fuel costs, and what he described as poor policy decisions by the Federal Government.
According to him, the ruling administration would ultimately be judged by its performance rather than political influence or alliances.
“You cannot defeat President Tinubu by merely rousing anger. You have to raise issues because he is in charge of government today, and, on objective analysis, he is not delivering,” Adebayo said.
The SDP flag bearer argued that worsening living conditions had placed millions of Nigerians under severe financial pressure despite working hard to survive.
“A Nigerian who owns a Toyota Corolla did not bargain for spending N60,000 to fill the tank when his salary is less than N200,000,” he stated.
He said inflation, unemployment, and insecurity had steadily eroded public confidence in government, adding that ordinary citizens were bearing the consequences of economic policies that had failed to improve productivity or living standards.
Adebayo also criticised the administration’s handling of electricity supply, saying the country’s power crisis remained unresolved despite campaign promises made ahead of the 2023 election.
“President Tinubu himself cannot give himself electricity. He has to go off-grid in the State House because the national grid failed him,” he said.
The former presidential candidate further argued that the President would eventually have to account to Nigerians for his stewardship, including issues relating to public debt, economic management, and key appointments made since assuming office.
“He has to account for how much debt he has accumulated on behalf of present and unborn generations. Presidency is a job, and every person with a job must render account to those who employed him,” Adebayo added.
On corruption and allegations of selective justice, Adebayo insisted that criminal investigations and prosecutions must be handled independently without political interference.
“It is not an APC government or SDP government that should take people to jail. Law enforcement investigates, the judiciary adjudicates and sanctions are applied without political coloration,” he said.
He warned against what he described as a growing perception that politicians facing criminal prosecution could escape accountability by aligning with the ruling party.
“We don’t want a situation where people facing trial are told that if they switch to the ruling party, they can obtain forgiveness or amnesty,” he said.
Commenting on speculation linking former President Goodluck Jonathan to the 2027 presidential race, Adebayo said Jonathan had the constitutional right to contest if he so desired.
“If he wants to run, he should come out openly and address Nigerians. The presidency of Nigeria is not an office people are dragged into by speculation,” he stated.
Adebayo expressed confidence that the SDP would defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027, insisting that Nigerians were already demanding a credible alternative focused on governance, accountability and public welfare.
“We are going to present Nigerians with a clear alternative that puts the welfare of the people first,” he said.