…Says Tinubu Won’t Win Re-Election
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has rejected the calls by prominent Nigerians for opposition parties to unite behind a single presidential candidate.
Adebayo said his vision goes beyond an opposition alliance, arguing that Nigerians across political divides, including members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), should work together to rescue the country.
He declared that President Bola Tinubu will not secure a second term in the 2027 general election, insisting that the contest must be driven by ideas, credible elections and the will of the Nigerian people rather than political coalitions or manipulation.
Adebayo made the remarks during a televised interview following the publication of the names of candidates for the 2027 general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said the country should move away from personality-driven politics and focus on finding practical solutions to the nation’s economic, security and developmental challenges.
According to him, the remaining months before the election should be devoted to meaningful discussions on governance rather than political theatrics.
“The next six months should be devoted to discussing how to solve Nigeria’s developmental problems. We should not turn this election into another reality television show where personalities dominate while the country’s challenges are ignored,” he said.
He expressed confidence that President Tinubu would not return to office in 2027, claiming that many Nigerians were dissatisfied with the performance of the current administration.
Adebayo also renewed his criticism of the conduct of the 2023 presidential election, alleging that candidates should never have to contend with the electoral management body instead of their opponents.
He said the credibility of the 2027 election would depend on ensuring that neither INEC nor security agencies are perceived as partisan actors.
“What I want in 2027 is that no candidate should be running against INEC as we were in 2023. Elections should be candidate versus candidate, not candidate versus the electoral umpire. People’s scores should reflect their efforts,” he stated.
The SDP standard bearer warned that voter apathy remained the greatest threat to the success of the 2027 polls, urging Nigerians not to lose confidence in the democratic process despite concerns over electoral integrity.
He said citizens must reject the belief that election outcomes are predetermined and instead participate actively in the electoral process.
“The greatest threat to this election is apathy. If Nigerians conclude that the outcome has already been decided, democracy suffers. But if citizens come out determined to vote and defend their votes, no amount of manipulation can override the will of the people,” he said.
Adebayo also dismissed speculation that he could step down in favour of a consensus opposition candidate, maintaining that no individual has an entitlement to the presidency.
He said every qualified Nigerian has the constitutional right to contest for the nation’s highest office, while the electorate alone should decide the winner through a free and fair election.
“I have no sense of entitlement. I am running because I believe Nigeria deserves competent leadership. If I become president, it must be through the freely expressed will of Nigerians—not by cheating, bribery or grabbing power. This is about Nigeria’s future and the destiny of generations yet unborn,” he said.
On reports of an internal crisis within the SDP, Adebayo dismissed the claims, describing the publication of his name and those of other party candidates by INEC as part of the commission’s routine constitutional responsibility.
He said the party conducted a successful national convention without controversy and that the publication of its presidential, vice-presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives candidates demonstrated that its nomination process was completed without dispute.
“INEC is doing its statutory duty. It is not doing anyone a favour. Political parties elect their candidates, while INEC simply receives and publishes the names submitted to it for the Nigerian people,” he added.
