The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has called on opposition forces across the country to unite against corruption, insecurity and injustice, warning that Nigeria’s democracy was under threat.
Adebayo, who recently emerged as the consensus presidential candidate of the party during its national convention, accused President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to weaken opposition politics and shrink the democratic space 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.
“The little freedom we have is about to be taken away from us,” Adebayo said. “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.
Adebayo maintained that the SDP was prepared to contest and win the 2027 presidential election, while also targeting victories in governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections across the country.
He said the party was committed to building a government focused on accountability, welfare, economic recovery and national security, insisting that Nigerians deserved leadership driven by service rather than personal ambition.
