The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has urged opposition parties in the country to stand firm in their fight against corruption, insecurity, and injustice.
Speaking via a statement, Adebayo lamented that President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were trying to sabotage democracy in the country.
According to him, the 2027 general election would be a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy and the future of multiparty politics.
Adebayo said, “The little freedom we have is about to be taken away from us. People have told me Nigeria is in danger of one-party rule. I said the real danger is one-man rule because that is where they are taking us.”
He alleged that democratic institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were increasingly coming under political pressure and losing their independence.
Adebayo also accused the federal government of interfering in the affairs of opposition political parties and intimidating politicians perceived as threats to the ruling establishment.
According to him, even members of the APC were no longer free within their own party structure.
“What we are doing here today, they cannot do it there. They wait for one person to choose everybody for them,” he said.
The SDP flag bearer further alleged that President Tinubu was seeking political influence beyond the APC by attempting to determine the direction and leadership of other political parties.
‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not satisfied to be the presidential candidate of APC alone. He wants to be the presidential candidate of APC, PDP, Labour Party, SDP and everybody else,” he alleged.
Adebayo described the successful conduct of the SDP convention as proof that opposition politics remained alive despite what he called attempts to frustrate the party’s activities.
He commended Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for allowing the convention to hold despite alleged pressure from unnamed forces to stop the gathering.
The SDP candidate stressed the need for strong opposition parties with different ideological leanings but united in loyalty to Nigeria and its constitution.
Calling on Nigerians to defend democratic freedoms, he urged citizens to make use of their rights before they were eroded completely.
“Anybody who opposes corruption, insecurity, cheating and injustice is part of the real opposition,” he said.