The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (Nigeria), Adewole Adebayo, has said that neither he nor President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must necessarily win the 2027 presidential election, stressing that the true victory should belong to Nigeria.
Adebayo made the remark on Thursday during an Iftar gathering attended by party leaders and other opposition figures in Abuja. The event brought together key stakeholders to discuss the political direction of the country ahead of future elections.
The SDP chieftain expressed concern over comments reportedly made by the president during an earlier Iftar hosted at the Presidential Villa. He urged political leaders to remember that ultimate authority lies with God and that public office should be approached with humility.
According to Adebayo, the position earlier presented to the president by the Inter-Party Advisory Council reflects the broader views of the SDP and its leadership regarding democratic participation and electoral fairness.
He rejected the notion that Nigerians could simply decide whether or not to participate in elections, insisting that the country’s constitution places a responsibility on leaders to actively encourage citizens to take part in the democratic process.
Adebayo also stressed that the 2027 general election should witness one of the highest voter turnouts in Nigeria’s history, given the country’s current political and economic challenges.
Appealing directly to the president, he said the goal of the election should not be personal victory for any candidate but the overall success and stability of Nigeria.
The former presidential candidate further warned against attempts by those in power to manipulate electoral laws or processes for political advantage, noting that such actions could undermine public trust in the democratic system.
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the SDP, Sadiq Umar Gombe, said the government has a responsibility to listen to citizens and create transparent electoral laws capable of guaranteeing free and credible elections.
Similarly, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Yusuf Dantalle, called on President Tinubu to consider amending recently approved electoral laws in order to strengthen inclusive democracy.
