…vows to link every budget to constitutional mandates
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has called for a fundamental shift in Nigeria’s governance, proposing that Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution serve as the guiding framework for government policies, budgets and programmes.
Adebayo made the proposal in his 2027–2031 governance blueprint, Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity, which places the Constitution’s Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy at the centre of his proposed administration.
The blueprint argues that Chapter II should no longer be treated as largely aspirational, but as a practical mandate for government.
It proposes that policies, budgets, projects and institutional reforms should be tied to constitutional objectives, including the security and welfare of citizens, social justice, national integration, economic development, human dignity, equal opportunity, education, environmental protection and accountable governance.
Adebayo said government performance should be judged not by the number of projects announced or commissioned, but by measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.
He listed security, food, healthcare, education, housing, employment, water, energy, transportation, justice and digital access as key indicators of government performance.
Under the proposal, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) would be required to state the constitutional objectives behind major programmes and report measurable results.
The blueprint bases the approach on Section 13 of the Constitution, which requires all organs and authorities exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers to conform to, observe and apply Chapter II.
Adebayo’s proposal ultimately seeks to change the yardstick for evaluating government—from promises and projects to measurable improvements in the welfare, security and economic wellbeing of Nigerians.
