A chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has dismissed claims that Nigeria’s opposition space is shrinking ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the strength of democracy lies with the electorate rather than the number of incumbents in office.
Speaking during a recent interview, Adebayo argued that the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should not be mistaken for political strength, stressing that democracy is defined by public sentiment, not by the number of elected officials a party controls.
“What matters is whether Nigerians feel better about governance and leadership, not how many governors or senators a party controls,” he said, adding that current indicators suggest the government is facing significant challenges.
Adebayo also downplayed ongoing mergers and defections involving opposition parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing them as irrelevant to the SDP’s ideological direction and a reflection of weak political conviction.
He maintained that the SDP remains committed to its principles and criticised both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing them as part of a “relay of inefficiency” with similar origins and shortcomings.
Calling for a shift to issue-based politics, Adebayo emphasised the need to focus on insecurity, poverty, and governance, while also advocating a major overhaul of the National Assembly in line with the “FixNass” movement.
Declaring his intention to contest the presidency in 2027, he criticised the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu over economic management, insecurity, and inclusiveness, stating that he aims to secure a broad-based mandate of at least 40 million votes.
He urged politicians to prioritise policies that address citizens’ everyday challenges, while reaffirming the SDP’s stance against money politics and electoral malpractice, describing the 2027 elections as a crucial turning point for Nigeria’s future.
