Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has stated that Nigerians are increasingly interested in his party's ideas on democracy and governance. In an interview with select journalists, the presidential candidate for the upcoming general election expressed confidence that this growing support will pave the way for his victory at the polls.
Internal Party Disputes
When asked about a faction within the SDP that had put forward its own presidential candidate, Adebayo dismissed concerns, comparing it to a similar situation four years ago that was resolved amicably. He emphasized that the burden lies with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to follow the law and conduct free, fair, and credible elections. His focus remains on delivering the party's mandate to provide alternative perspectives on security, economy, infrastructure, welfare, democracy, and ethics in governance.
Proposed Six-Year Single Term
Adebayo described the proposed six-year single term for the president as a distraction, arguing that the core issue is having a functioning political system where voters decide winners without electoral manipulation. He stressed that the current four-year term system is adequate if elections are free and fair.
Confidence in Winning
Responding to doubts about the SDP's ability to win the presidential election, Adebayo asserted that free and fair elections would reveal the true strength of each party. He noted that the demand for alternatives is rising across the country, and the SDP's ideas on security, economy, infrastructure, welfare, and ethics resonate with Nigerians. He acknowledged that the SDP cannot buy votes or campaign on ethnicity or religion, but believes that as the system crumbles under corruption, Nigerians will turn to ethical parties like the SDP.
Fuel Subsidy Removal
Adebayo criticized the removal of fuel subsidies, calling it a mistake compounded by subsequent government policies. He proposed a three-step approach: making refineries functional, reducing reliance on petrol through multimodal transportation, and leveraging Nigeria's capacity to produce more refined products than it consumes. He argued that the government misunderstood the multiplier effect of petrol pricing on productivity and living costs.
Security and Kidnapping
Adebayo accused the government of enabling kidnapping through lethargy, prioritizing regime security over citizen safety, and using security votes for personal gain. He claimed to have evidence from affected communities and called for depoliticizing law enforcement to allow professionals to operate independently. He rejected negotiations with bandits, stating that the government has the capacity to defeat them but lacks the will.
Readiness for Governance
Dismissing the notion that talk is cheap, Adebayo asserted that sensible talk requires data and understanding of governance. He urged Nigerians to prioritize security when voting and to hold the government accountable.
